WILMINGTON, Del. – Congressman John Carney (D-DE) wrapped up his tax reform “listening tour” by meeting with members of Delaware’s business community. On Thursday afternoon, he sat down with members and representatives of Delaware’s local chambers of commerce at Delaware Tech’s Terry Campus in Dover, and this morning, he met with members and staff of the Committee of 100 in Wilmington. The discussions focused on comprehensive federal tax reform and how the system can be improved to help support small businesses and middle class families.

“The federal tax system is broken,” said Congressman Carney. “The key is figuring out which parts of the code are important and helping those who need it, and which parts aren’t. Delaware businesses and individuals know these challenges because they see the impact in their bottom line or their household budget. This week of meetings with Delawareans across the state has given me important information that I’ll use to move this issue forward in Washington.”

Many of the local chamber members on Thursday expressed their concern at the United States’ corporate tax structure with a rate that they viewed as uncompetitive with the rest of the world, resulting in tillions of corporate profits being stranded overseas. Jennings Hastings, a CPA with Faw Casson in Dover, noted that bringing this tax funding back to the U.S. would create jobs, generate economic growth, and build confidence among taxpayers.

Mark Landis, President of Metro Merchant Services, echoed this point in Friday’s discussion with the Committee of 100. He stated that companies will want to invest in the U.S. if the tax system is competitive and fair compared to other countries.

“There is some consensus in Washington on addressing corporate profits that are being left overseas,” said Congressman Carney. “I’ve co-sponsored a bill that would bring that tax money back and use it to fund roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects that put middle class Americans to work. All taxpayers should reap the benefits of bringing this money back home."

These discussions concluded a week of events and roundtable discussions hosted by Congressman Carney focused on the federal tax code and ideas for comprehensive tax reform. Earlier this week, the Congressman was a guest lecturer at a University of Delaware Contemporary Issues seminar, met with leaders in Delaware’s entrepreneur community, and hosted a tele-town hall joined by more than 7,000 Delawareans to discuss individual and corporate tax reform.

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]]>Mon, 23 Feb 2015 15:05:05 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=639:discussions-with-local-businesses-wrap-up-carney-s-tax-reform-listening-tour&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney hears from entrepreneurs and individual taxpayers on tax reformhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=640:congressman-carney-hears-from-entrepreneurs-and-individual-taxpayers-on-tax-reform&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Congressman hosts roundtable with entrepreneurs and individuals on improvements in the tax code that would support start-up businesses and middle class families

WILMINGTON, Del. --- Congressman John Carney (D-DE) hosted a roundtable discussion on Wednesday on reforming the federal tax code. The forum was attended by local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and individual taxpayers who shared their experiences with the federal tax code and offered their thoughts on how to make the system better. Congressman Carney led the discussion, giving his own thoughts about how to achieve comprehensive tax reform, so that our system can better support start-up businesses and middle class families.

Wednesday’s discussion took place at the office of The Archer Group, an advertising agency in Wilmington. Participants included Keith Elliott, iOS Mobile Development Lead at Barclaycard; Steve High, technical lead at The Archer Group; Rory Laitila, Mentor at Start It Up Delaware and Owner of itr8group; Tim Mihok, Chief Financial Officer at The Archer Group; Katie O’Hara, Owner at Katie O’Hara Design; Michael Smith, Former Marketing Director at DuPont; Maisha Thoms, Founder/Managing Director at CAM Consulting Group.

“Tax reform is an area of bipartisan interest,” said Congressman Carney. “The federal tax code has become an impediment to economic growth. Businesses should be making decisions based on business factors and the market, not tax implications. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are a large and growing segment of the economy, so as we look at making changes to the tax code, we need to include their thoughts and concerns.”

Tim Mihok, Chief Financial Officer of the Archer Group, expressed the need for small businesses to have more certainty on tax policy in order to make more strategic decisions on investments in their business and employees. “Get the information into our hands sooner so we can make educated decisions,” said Mihok.

Wednesday’s meeting was the latest stop in the Congressman’s tax reform listening tour this week, where he will be hosting a series of events and roundtable discussions focused on the federal tax code and ideas for comprehensive tax reform. Congressman Carney will meet with business leaders, students, entrepreneurs, individual taxpayers, and other stakeholders to get a diverse perspective on this important issue throughout the week.

]]>Wed, 18 Feb 2015 10:10:35 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=640:congressman-carney-hears-from-entrepreneurs-and-individual-taxpayers-on-tax-reform&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman John Carney announces U.S. Service Academy nominations for Class of 2019http://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=636:congressman-john-carney-announces-u-s-service-academy-nominations-for-class-of-2019&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON — Congressman John Carney announced today the names of the students whom he has nominated for the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Nominations for the service academies are made annually by the Congressman, and those chosen represent future Delaware leaders who have already made strong commitments to community service and academic excellence.

“Nominating young Delawareans to attend our nation’s service academies is a tremendous privilege, and one of my favorite parts of representing Delaware in Congress,” said Congressman Carney. “Each of these young men and women have worked incredibly hard to become smart, well-rounded, and determined students. They should be very proud of their accomplishments. I am confident that if offered an appointment, each one will represent Delaware with honor and distinction in school and throughout a distinguished career in our nation’s armed forces.”

In order to be granted admission, an applicant must meet all eligibility requirements and receive a nomination from a Member of Congress, the Vice President, or the Secretary of the Air Force, Army, or Navy. The decision whether or not to appoint a nominee rests solely with each academy.

“I’d also like to thank my nominating committee who volunteered many hours toward helping me make these choices,” said Congressman Carney. “Their commitment and expertise has once again helped put together a slate of nominees that represents the best and brightest our state has to offer.”

]]>Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:51:35 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=636:congressman-john-carney-announces-u-s-service-academy-nominations-for-class-of-2019&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Statement on Off-shore Drilling Proposalhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=635:congressman-carney-statement-on-off-shore-drilling-proposal&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman John Carney today released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s proposal to open up waters off the Atlantic Coast for drilling:

“I'm concerned that this proposal would put Delaware and our neighbors at risk of suffering the same devastation and destruction as the Gulf Coast after the BP spill. In light of increased domestic production, it's also unnecessary, and not worth the risk. Instead, we should focus on developing alternative energy technologies, like off-shore wind. That’s how we will address the serious challenges of climate change, protect our natural resources, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. It will also help us improve U.S. competitiveness in rapidly growing industries and create jobs for Delawareans. Expanding drilling in Delaware’s backyard is the wrong move for the country.”

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Congressman Carney signed a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in August 2014 requesting that the waters off the Atlantic be excluded from the Administration’s oil and gas leasing program. Last Congress, Congressman Carney was an original cosponsor of the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act (H.R. 924), which would have created a separate tax credit for offshore wind to help companies attain financing for wind power production in the Atlantic.

WASHINGTON — Congressman Carney (D-DE) today reintroduced a Constitutional amendment, H.J. Res. 24, designed to give Congress the authority to rein in campaign finance spending. The amendment is an effort to reverse the effects of the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court ruling. The legislation offers a straightforward solution by allowing our nation’s elected bodies to pass a law to limit money in politics. Introduction of H.J. Res. 24 coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Citizens United decision. The Congressman also offered this legislation in the 113th Congress and is hopeful his colleagues will advance the bill this Congress.

“The Citizens United decision drastically increased the role of money in politics while drowning out the voices of everyday Americans,” said Congressman Carney. “This Constitutional amendment will help rein in campaign spending and restore fairness to the political process.”

The Constitutional amendment allows states and Congress to limit campaign contributions or expenditures for candidates seeking election to federal office, including those made independently through PACs. The amendment also gives Congress and states the power to restrict campaign spending by outside organizations within a designated time period leading up to an election.

The Citizens United decision overturned campaign finance laws that had previously served to limit the ability of corporations to influence elections. In order to reverse this decision by the Court, a Constitutional amendment is required. Prior to this decision, Congress and the states had the flexibility to prohibit outside organizations from spending money in support of or in opposition to a candidate running for office.

This meant that companies and advocacy groups were free to advocate their positions or advocate for candidates who supported their positions, but Congress and the states still retained the right to place some limits on campaign advocacy. For example, prior to the Citizens United decision there were limitations on the use of a candidate’s name in third-party advertising during a certain period of time leading up to the election. Since the Supreme Court’s decision, outside groups have been able to spend unlimited amounts of money through Election Day.

Congressman Carney is also a cosponsor of the following bills, all designed to limit the influence of money in politics:

· H.R. 430, the DISCLOSE Act

· H.R. 154,theClose the Floodgates Act

· H.R. 20, the Government by the People Act

· H.J. Res. 22, the Democracy for All Amendment

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]]>Wed, 21 Jan 2015 20:25:49 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=634:campaign-finance-2015&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Reacts to State of the Union Addresshttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=633:2015-state-of-the-union&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) tonight issued the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union address:

“The President gave voice tonight to the feelings of many Delawareans I talk to: things are getting better, but we aren’t there yet. The American middle class, and the hope of joining the middle class, are what have inspired progress and prosperity for generations. But after the 2008 crisis, the middle class needs rebuilding, and tonight we heard some of the President’s ideas for continuing a middle class revival.

“Since coming to Congress, I’ve focused on three key drivers of middle class growth: making things in America again, making college more affordable, and making sure hard-working Americans can continue to afford a home. Tonight we heard the President redouble his commitment to advancing these policy goals.

“It’s inevitable that in divided government, not everyone will agree on this approach. My job over this next term in Congress is to work with Democrats and Republicans to find common ground and get things done. I came to Congress to fight for the middle class. Tonight, the President laid out a promising plan to do the same. He encouraged us to work together for the good of the country, and I intend to continue to do just that.”

WASHINGTON — Congressman John Carney has invited Dan Eason, a Claymont resident and a Senior Benefits Analyst at Cigna, to join him as his guest to President Obama’s State of the Union address. Eason will travel to Washington with Congressman Carney before attending tonight’s speech.

Congressman Carney first met Eason at the Central YMCA in Wilmington, DE, when Eason approached the Congressman. Eason was worried about potential layoffs at Cigna because of a provision in the Affordable Care Act that would have caused jobs to move overseas. The Congressman’s bill, the Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act, was ultimately included in the omnibus spending package signed into law late last year, thus saving 500 jobs at Cigna’s Wilmington facility.

Delaware’s Congressional delegation worked for three-and-a-half years to ensure these jobs were protected. Congressman Carney’s selection of Eason as his guest highlights not only the hundreds of jobs saved in Delaware but also the importance of working across the aisle to find reasonable solutions to our nation’s problems.

“The jobs we protected in Delaware and across the country show the impact Congress can have when we come together in a bipartisan way,” said Congressman Carney. “Folks are frustrated with the gridlock in Washington, and so am I. This legislative victory goes to show how much we can get done by putting politics aside and doing the right thing. It’s an honor to host Dan in Washington tonight, and I hope his presence reminds my colleagues of the impact we can have when Congress does its job.”

Eason lives in Claymont with his wife Jessica Moret as well as his step-son Justin and step-daughter Amy. He also has three adult daughters, Danyelle, Dominique, and Raven. Eason has worked for Cigna Global Benefits as a Senior Benefits Analyst since January 2008.

“I’m thrilled that my job is safe, and I’m thrilled to be able to attend the President’s speech tonight,” said Eason. “I’m grateful to Congressman Carney and Senators Carper and Coons for their hard work on this issue.”

Cigna employees in Delaware sell, write, manage and service expatriate health insurance plans, which offer robust coverage to people working outside their home country, giving them access to a global network of health care providers. Inadvertently, the Affordable Care Act was written in a way that subjected U.S. expatriate health insurance plans to all the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which placed a unique burden on these types of plans, given that their foreign competitors are not subjected to the same requirements. The Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act legislation clarifies that the Affordable Care Act does not apply to expatriate health insurance plans. It ensures that U.S.-based expatriate insurance carriers can compete on a level playing field with their foreign competitors and that American jobs stay here in America.

WASHINGTON ¬– Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.) celebrated Congressional passage of historic legislation to authorize the creation of a national park in Delaware. The language passed today mirrored bills introduced in 2013 by Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney– the First State National Historical Park Act of 2013.

The legislation authorizes the First State National Monument in Delaware to become the First State National Historical Park and expands the current First State National Monument to include park sites in all three counties of Delaware. Similar to the national monument, the First State National Historical Park will celebrate early American Dutch, Swedish and English Settlements located throughout Delaware, and Delaware’s role in the events leading up to the founding of our nation.

“For over a decade, I have been working with federal officials, state officials, community leaders and everyday citizens to establish a national park in Delaware,” said Sen. Carper. “Today, I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for approving this legislation. Now, Delaware can have a national park that preserves and teaches the lessons of our state’s heritage and our country’s history. I cannot wait for the day when families from all across this country and the world will plan their vacations around the First State National Historical Park to learn how Delaware helped launch the most enduring experiment in democracy that the world has ever known – the United States of America. I must also give special recognition and thanks to Senators Coons, Casey (D-Pa.) and Toomey (R-Pa.) and Representatives Carney and Meehan (R-Pa.) for their continued support and efforts during this process, as well as the many state and local government and community leaders who have worked hard to make this a reality.”

“A national park will preserve and celebrate our state’s vibrant history, while boosting Delaware’s economy and creating jobs," Senator Coons said. "For more than a decade, Senator Carper has worked tirelessly to finally bring a national park to our state, and with final passage in the Senate today, he has succeeded. National parks are an important part of our national culture and heritage, and it's long past time that Delaware's rich history and resources were recognized with official national park status.”

“This is a tremendous achievement for Delaware,” said Congressman Carney. “After years and years of hard work by so many in our state, Delaware will join the ranks of nearly all other states with a National Park. I look forward to taking my family and visitors from out of state to visit the natural and historic sites in our park. And I’m gratified that our neighbors around the country will be able to enjoy the historic attractions our great state has to offer. Today’s a proud day for Delaware.”

The legislation allows the Park Service to work with other historically significant sites that are not included in the National Park, but can be included in the National Park materials, tours and other related items. Additionally, the legislation authorizes a study to assess historical significant properties that should be listed as national landmarks and be associated with the national park. The management and headquarters of the national monument willcontinue to be the same for the newly-designated national park.

The following sites have been authorized to be included in the park:

New Castle County, DE / Delaware County, PA:

• Woodlawn Trustees Property

New Castle County, DE:

• The Old Sheriff's House

• Old New Castle Courthouse

• New Castle Green

• Old Swedes Church National Historic Landmark

• Fort Christina National Historic Landmark

Kent County, DE:

• Dover Green

• John Dickinson Plantation National Historic Landmark

Sussex County, DE:

• Ryves Holt House

For over a decade, Senator Carper has worked with the Delaware delegation, federal officials, state officials, and community leaders to identify a theme and a park concept that fits well within our federal budget and is worthy of designation as a national park. In January 2009, the Bush Administration finalized a National Park Service Special Resource Study concluding that a national park should be placed in Delaware and every year since Senator Carper has introduced legislation authorizing a national park. Since 2009, there have been over a dozen public meetings on the national park effort – including legislative hearings in both chambers of Congress – which have shown overwhelming support for the national park idea.

The Senate approved the First State National Historical Park as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. It passed the House last week. It will now go to the President for his signature.

WASHINGTON — Today the House voted 219-206 to pass H.R. 83, the omnibus spending package to fund the government which includes H.R. 4414, the Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act. Congressman Carney introduced this legislation in order to protect hundreds of jobs at Cigna’s facility in Wilmington, DE that are in danger of being moved overseas. In February 2014, Cigna implemented a hiring freeze at its Delaware facility and has warned of potential layoffs should this legislation not be signed into law. Cigna employs 500 people in Delaware who write the plans affected by this legislation. The Delaware delegation has been working for the past three and a half years to ensure these jobs are protected. The omnibus spending bill now awaits consideration in the Senate -- enactment of this legislation would prevent any job loss at Cigna’s Wilmington facility.

“Tonight’s vote is a victory for 500 workers in Delaware whose jobs are on the line,” said Congressman Carney. “This was a long, tough battle. Getting this bill passed required reaching across the aisle, persistence, the cooperation of many, and a lot of hard work. It was worth it to protect Delawareans whose jobs never should have been at risk in the first place. I know Senators Carper and Coons are continuing to work hard to make sure this passes the Senate.”

Cigna employees in Delaware sell, write, manage and service expatriate health insurance plans, which offer robust coverage to people working outside their home country, giving them access to a global network of health care providers. Individuals on the plan could be foreign employees working here in America, Americans working abroad, or, for instance, a German working in France. These employees can be NGO and foreign aid workers, pilots, cruise ship workers, and contractors sent to support our troops on deployment around the globe.

Inadvertently, the Affordable Care Act was written in a way that subjects U.S. expatriate health insurance plans to all the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which places a unique burden on these types of plans, given that their foreign competitors are not subjected to the same requirements. Several U.S. health insurance companies -- Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, and United Health -- offer expatriate health insurance plans. These insurance companies compete with foreign insurance companies that also sell expatriate health insurance plans, but which are not required to comply with the Affordable Care Act. This imbalance gives their foreign competitors an unfair advantage.

The Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act legislation clarifies that the Affordable Care Act does not apply to expatriate health insurance plans. It ensures that U.S.-based expatriate insurance carriers can compete on a level playing field with their foreign competitors and that American jobs stay here in America.

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives today passed the Intelligence Authorization Act, which included an amendment offered by Congressman John Carney (D-DE). The bill passed the Senate by voice vote and now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

The Congressman’s amendment works in concert with the Administration’s efforts to modernize and transform the security classification system and would require the Director of National Intelligence to issue a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment that details how to improve the declassification process across the intelligence community. This report would also include what steps the intelligence community can take, or what legislation may be necessary, to enable the National Declassification Center to better accomplish the missions assigned to it by Executive Order 13526, which outlines how classified information should be handled.

“While Americans across the political spectrum have differing thoughts on Edward Snowden’s actions, the fact remains that many of Snowden’s revelations were disturbing and upsetting to many, including me,” said Congressman Carney. “In order for the American people to maintain faith in their government, we must ensure that the government is operating in the most transparent way possible, while still ensuring our national security.”

The Obama Administration has pledged to declassify documents that no longer need to be held secret, and to revamp the method used to determine which documents ought to be classified. However, bureaucratic resistance across the intelligence community has severely hampered this effort. Congressman Carney’s amendment seeks to break this stalemate.

“I fully understand the need to keep some information protected from our enemies,” said Congressman Carney. “But there are currently hundreds of millions of classified pages of documents and to the extent possible -- we ought to open them to public scrutiny. This amendment orders an evaluation of our current system of classification to determine whether our policies are overly broad or protective. It’s a simple amendment, and particularly important during this time when the American people have had their confidence in their government shaken.”

The Congressman’s amendment passed the House by voice vote. The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, H.R. 4681, passed the House by a vote of 325-100, with the Congressman’s support.

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]]>Wed, 10 Dec 2014 22:40:25 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=624:congressman-carney-s-amendment-to-declassify-documents-increase-transparency-heads-to-president-s-desk&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Delaware’s Congressional Delegation Announces USDA Grant to Colonial School District to connect local students and farmershttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=622:delaware-s-congressional-delegation-announces-usda-grant-to-colonial-school-district-to-connect-local-students-and-farmers&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Funding will allow William Penn students to grow and supply food directly to district’s school nutrition programs

WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper, Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney (all D-Del.) announced that Colonial School District has been awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School grant to help students connect with local farms and ensure that they have access to healthy foods.

Colonial School District will receive $100,000 to partner with Historic Penn Farm in New Castle. Students at William Penn High School will have access to the farmland, and will participate in the entire process of planning, growing, and processing foods. That food will reach approximately 10,000 students in Colonial School District through its breakfast and lunch programs.

“Teaching students hands-on skills when it comes to growing and preparing healthy food is a skill that will serve them well over a lifetime,” said Sen. Carper. “It was not that long ago that I toured William Penn and got a chance to see its first-class culinary program. With the addition of this federal grant to help the farm to school table program, it will be even better, serving healthy food choices to nearly 10,000 students. This is a great use of federal dollars and a program I am happy to support.”

“Learning by doing is one of the great pleasures in education,” said Sen. Coons. “Making sure to eat healthy meals every day is challenging and this grant will help students make healthier choices by building nutritional learning into their education. William Penn High School students will gain the hands on experience of not just growing crops, but the experience of planning, growing and processing foods, creating new menus, and placing healthy foods directly into school nutrition programs throughout the district.”

“Colonial School District has put together a very innovative plan that teaches students important lessons in agriculture and business,” said Congressman Carney. “This partnership with Penn Farm gives students more access to fresh, healthy food, teaches them where that food comes from, and supports the local agriculture industry. I can’t wait to visit and try some of it myself.”

Dr. Dusty Blakey, Colonial School District Superintendent, added, “This is a great opportunity to promote career readiness to our students, connecting our Agriculture and Culinary Arts degree programs with our own District Division of Nutrition to promote nutrition in our schools – a true farm to school to table program. In short, William Penn High School will plan, operate and grow crops, bring to our culinary students for food preparation, and sell to our school cafeterias. This grant represents the true food cycle, connecting agriculture to business, all while promoting healthy living styles.”

Colonial School District’s proposal was one of 82 projects selected spanning 42 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the USDA, school districts participating in farm to school programs purchased and served over $385 million in local food in school year 2011-2012.

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]]>Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:56:55 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=622:delaware-s-congressional-delegation-announces-usda-grant-to-colonial-school-district-to-connect-local-students-and-farmers&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney’s proposal to modernize aircraft used by Delaware Air Guard included in NDAAhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=619:congressman-carney-s-proposal-to-modernize-aircraft-used-by-delaware-air-guard-included-in-ndaa&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Legislation allows for upgrades to C-130H aircraft in a safe and fiscally responsible way

WASHINGTON — U.S. Congressman John Carney (D-DE) today praised the inclusion of important provisions from his C-130H Modernization Act in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced companion legislation in the Senate, which was co-sponsored by Sen. Carper and Coons (both D-DE).

The C-130H is the primary aircraft flown by the Delaware Air National Guard. Unless the C-130H fleet is modernized, the aircraft will be inoperable in 2020 due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and international safety regulations. This could mean the end of the Delaware National Guard’s C-130 flying mission, along with associated job losses.

The provisions of Congressman Carney’s legislation that were adopted into the National Defense Authorization Act give the U.S. Air Force the option to pursue a more targeted and fiscally responsible modernization approach for its C-130 fleet or pursue the full modifications as specified in the Avionics Modernization Program.

“Through extensive conversation with the Air Force, we know that what the Air Force wants is to use an alternative modification system that’s cheaper than AMP and keeps these C-130s in the air. The problem is they don’t have the authority to do that. The language in NDAA gives them that authority,” said Congressman Carney. “This is a critical step forward in preserving the flying mission of Delaware’s Guard.”

Delaware Adjutant General Francis Vavala added, "This legislation is a vital step in ensuring the viability of our Delaware Air National Guard. We have requested that our congressional delegation allow the Air Force to pursue the critical modifications necessary to keep us relevant. They have analyzed it and recognize that these upgrades are in the best interest of our country and the United State Air Force. We are elated and look forward to working with our delegation to secure the future of the Delaware National Guard C-130 mission."

For the past 13 years, the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) has been the designated program to upgrade the C-130H fleet to ensure compliance with national and international regulations before the 2020 deadline. Due to significant cost overruns, the U.S. Air Force announced in 2012 that it wanted to abandon the AMP program and pursue a more fiscally responsible solution. A cost-benefit study, mandated by Congress, found that modernizing just the navigation systems of the C-130H fleet would cost a quarter of the AMP program, resulting in savings of $12 million per aircraft while still allowing the C-130H models to meet all flight and airspace safety requirements by 2020.

The language in the NDAA does not cancel AMP, but instead gives the Secretary of the Air Force the flexibility to determine the best approach to upgrading the C-130H fleet before the 2020 deadline.

The C-130H aircraft is the military’s primary combat delivery aircraft and has provided humanitarian assistance, precision airdrop and tactical airlift across the globe for more than 40 years. Currently, the C-130H fleet is flown by Air National Guard units in Delaware and 17 additional states.

The House is expected to vote on the NDAA on Thursday, December 4. If passed, the legislation will likely be considered by the Senate before Congress adjourns on December 11.

Washington, DC—Today, Congressman John Carney (D-DE) and Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL) and praised introduction of the Protecting Integrity in Medicare Act of 2014 (PIMA), a Ways and Means Committee bill aimed at combating waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare. PIMA, which was first released as a discussion draft this summer, includes the Roskam-Carney Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME) Act of 2013. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) authored the Senate companion to this bill.

“The PRIME Act will strengthen Medicare and protect seniors by ensuring that resources go to those who need them, not criminals looking to take advantage of the system,” said Congressman Carney. “In this Congress, it’s not easy to find areas where Democrats and Republicans agree, but fighting waste, fraud, and abuse while saving billions of taxpayer dollars just makes sense. It’s very encouraging that the Ways and Means Committee included our bill in their efforts.”

“Medicare and Medicaid are vital programs that millions of our nation’s seniors rely on, and yet criminals and bureaucratic negligence rob these programs of as much as $60 billion a year,” said Congressman Roskam. “Strengthening and preserving Medicare for future generations means using 21st century technology, information sharing, and common sense solutions to stop fraudsters in their tracks. I’m pleased that solutions I’ve long fought for in the bipartisan and bicameral PRIME Act have been taken up by the Ways and Means Committee and included in their Medicare fraud package and look forward to swift action through the House.”

Highlights of the PRIME Act in the Ways and Means Medicare Fraud Package include provisions:

•Phasing out the antiquated “Pay-and-Chase” system that pays out money even for suspicious Medicare claims. By better incentivizing Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), who are the first line of defense against fraudulent claims, we can save taxpayers billions of dollars

•Requiring that HHS enhance the Medicare-Medicaid, or Medi-Medi program in order to ensure federally run Medicare and state-run Medicaid share information on fraudsters, so if a provider or beneficiary is found to be abusing one system, they are also barred from the other

•Linking contract payments to accuracy goals for Medicare contractors and defines penalties for not meeting those goals -- ensuring processors have skin in the game and actively work to verify claims before sending taxpayer dollars out the door

•Building on the Senior Medicare Patrol program by requiring Medicare officials to improve outreach so more of our nation's seniors are aware of the fight against waste and fraud, and also expanding the program to include Medicaid beneficiaries

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]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:56:26 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=621:carney-roskam-celebrate-introduction-of-ways-and-means-medicare-fraud-bill&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Statement from Congressman Carney on the Passing of Former State Representative Biff Leehttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=620:statement-from-congressman-carney-on-the-passing-of-former-state-representative-biff-lee&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON, Del. — Congressman Carney released the following statement on the death of Rep. Clifford “Biff” Lee. Rep. Lee was a Delaware State Police trooper, and then represented the 40th District in the Delaware House of Representative for 22 years.

“I’m very sad to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague, Biff Lee. Biff was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of the people in his community as a state police officer and as a member of the Delaware House of Representatives. I enjoyed working with him in the General Assembly, and always looked forward to seeing him when I visited Laurel, especially for the 4th of July parade.

Biff and I shared a love of high school football. He was a long time official, and I enjoyed seeing him at the games and talking about the teams to look out for in the state.

My thoughts and prayers are with Biff’s family and friends during this very difficult time. He will be missed.”

“The President’s executive action addresses a crisis in our country that Congress should have already resolved. The Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill, which I support, over a year ago. Unfortunately, the House has yet to act on that legislation. This is a failure of leadership. I’m frustrated and unhappy that it has come to this, but I do believe the President is within his authority to take the actions he announced last night, and I support the policies behind it.

“For the security of our nation, the sake of our economy, and the preservation of the American dream, we cannot allow our current immigration system to remain broken. This President has deported a record number of individuals here illegally, and has prioritized those deportations within the bounds of limited resources. The President’s announcement will allow some in Delaware and across the country to come out of the shadows. It will also keep families from being broken up through deportation. That said, this action is not a comprehensive solution to our nation’s immigration problem. I will continue to implore my colleagues in the House to take bipartisan action to fix our immigration system now.”

WILMINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) today issued the following statement in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposed rule governing prepaid card products, which was the subject of a CFPB field hearing in Wilmington today:

“This proposed rule will ultimately bring much needed certainty to this new and growing marketplace by setting the rules of the road regarding important consumer protections,” said Congressman Carney. “I look forward to working with the CFPB to ensure that the rule promotes innovation in prepaid products and at the same time establishes strong consumer protections. As Delawareans work to get back on their feet in the wake of the financial crisis, it’s especially important that we find ways to provide them access to banking services and have strong rules in place to make sure their dealings with financial institutions are fair and transparent. I’m pleased Director Cordray chose to make this announcement in Delaware today, and I plan to continue to work closely with the CFPB as the rule-making process moves forward.”

The CFPB’s Director Richard Cordray conducted a field hearing in Wilmington, Delaware today to hear from consumer groups and industry representatives on the proposed rule. The hearing was held at Delaware Technical Community College’s Wilmington campus and featured the following panelists:

]]>Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:55:14 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=617:congressman-carney-applauds-cfpb-rule-on-prepaid-cards&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Statement from Congressman Carney on Veterans Dayhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=616:statement-from-congressman-carney-on-veterans-day&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON, Del. — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) issued the following statement today in recognition of Veterans Day, which falls on Tuesday. Tomorrow, Congressman Carney will participate in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, hosted by the Delaware Commission on Veteran Affairs and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be held at the Memorial Bridge Plaza in New Castle. Delaware is currently home to more than 78,000 veterans.

“On Veterans Day, we remember and honor all the members of the armed forces whose sacrifice protects the freedom and liberty that we have today.

It has been said that a veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. It is our nation’s solemn obligation, when Americans make that commitment, to support them and their families during their service and ensure that their needs are met when they come home.

I am reminded of this responsibility every day in Washington when I go to vote and am greeted on the floor of the House of Representatives by veterans who have lost arms or legs in service to their country. I am reminded of it when I visit the Delaware Veterans Home or the VA Medical Center in Elsmere. And I am reminded of it when I meet the outstanding young men and women who apply to my office for a military academy nomination.

I’m inspired by these brave men and women who have faced such tremendous challenges, and yet maintain a sense of patriotism and commitment to service. They are a strong reminder of the cost of freedom and the tremendous burden that veterans and their families bear.

I am incredibly thankful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans. I try every day to put country ahead of self and be worthy of their example as I represent Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

WILMINGTON, Del. — U.S. Representative John Carney is accepting applications from Delawareans who are seeking a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, or the Military Academy at West Point. The application deadline for Congressman Carney’s office for those wishing to enroll in the class of 2019 is Friday, October 31, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

“Nominating some of Delaware’s brightest and most talented young people to attend our nation’s service academies is a tremendous privilege,” said Congressman Carney. “The academies offer an opportunity to earn a degree from some of the most prestigious colleges in the nation, while receiving the training and skills necessary to succeed throughout life.”

In order to be considered for an appointment to one of the academies, an applicant must meet all eligibility requirements and receive a nomination from a Member of the House or Senate, the Vice President, or the Secretary of the Air Force, Army, or Navy. Applicants to the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy and West Point must be between the ages of 17 and 23 as of July 1, 2015. They must also be a U.S. citizen, unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents. Applicants may be considered for nomination by Congressman Carney and Delaware’s two U.S. Senators.

]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2014 19:14:01 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=614:congressman-carney-accepting-applications-for-service-academy-nominations&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney praises WTO ruling to support U.S. poultry industryhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=613:congressman-carney-praises-wto-ruling-to-support-u-s-poultry-industry&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON, Del. – Congressman John Carney, a member of the House Chicken Caucus, lauded the World Trade Organization’s ruling Tuesday that invalidated India’s blocked imports of U.S. poultry based on a false claim of avian influenza. India’s restrictions are estimated to cost the U.S. approximately $300 million in U.S. chicken annually.

In 2012, Congressman Carney, along with Congressman Nunes (R-CA), led a letter with 47 bipartisan cosigners calling for an end to India’s prohibition on the importation of U.S. poultry.

"This is good news for Delaware,” said Carney. “The poultry industry is a critical piece of Delaware's economy, and open markets are key to our farmer's ability to grow their businesses. On behalf of Delaware farmers, I've pushed hard to stop India's unfair restrictions on poultry exports. I'm extremely pleased that a successful resolution has been reached. Delaware is well-positioned to take advantage of India's growing market."

Delaware’s poultry industry supports more than 13,000 jobs and contributes more than $3.2 billion to the state’s economy.

Delaware’s Air Guard fleet will be inoperable in 2020 without improvements

NEW CASTLE, Del. — This morning, Congressman John Carney (D-DE) visited with Delaware Adjutant General Francis Vavala and the members of the Delaware Air National Guard to discuss the C-130H Modernization Act (H.R. 5119), bipartisan legislation Carney introduced to modernize the Air Guard’s fleet of C-130H aircraft in a safe and fiscally responsible way. Unless the C-130H fleet is modernized, the aircraft will be inoperable in 2020 due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and international safety regulations. This could mean the end of the Delaware National Guard’s C-130 flying mission, along with associated job losses.

“The Delaware National Guard plays a critical role in protecting our national security – both at home and abroad. The C-130s are essential to allowing our citizen-soldiers to do their job,” said Congressman Carney. “This legislation helps ensure the Guard will be able to continue using its C-130 fleet for years to come while cutting costs and saving taxpayer dollars.”

Delaware Adjutant General Francis Vavala added, "Modernization of the C-130 fleet is critical to the future of the Air National Guard. With the current economic situation, it's pretty easy to see our nation should turn to the National Guard as part of the solution."

For the past 13 years, the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) has been the designated program to upgrade the C-130H fleet to ensure compliance with national and international regulations before the 2020 deadline. Due to significant cost overruns, the U.S. Air Force announced in 2012 that it wanted to abandon the AMP program and pursue a more fiscally responsible solution. A cost-benefit study, mandated by Congress, found that modernizing just the navigation systems of the C-130H fleet would cost a quarter of the AMP program, resulting in savings of $12 million per aircraft while still allowing the C-130H models to meet all flight and airspace safety requirements by 2020.

The C-130 Modernization Act, gives the U.S. Air Force the option to pursue this more targeted and fiscally responsible modernization approach or pursue the full modifications of the AMP program. The legislation does not cancel the AMP program, but instead gives the Secretary of the Air Force the flexibility to determine the best approach to upgrading the C-130H fleet before the 2020 deadline.

The C-130H aircraft is the military’s primary combat delivery aircraft and has provided humanitarian assistance, precision airdrop and tactical airlift across the globe for more than 40 years. Currently, the C-130H fleet is flown by Air National Guard units in Delaware and 17 additional states.

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]]>Mon, 06 Oct 2014 17:49:32 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=611:u-s-rep-carney-discusses-bill-to-modernize-c-130h-aircraft-with-members-of-delaware-air-guard&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Carney Announce $111,293 for Newark Fire Department’s Firefighter Operations and Safety http://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=610:carper-carney-announce-111-293-for-newark-fire-department-s-firefighter-operations-and-safety&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
NEWARK, Del. – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and U.S. Representative John Carney (both D-Del.) announced a grant award of $111,293 to help support the operations and safety of firefighters at the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company in Newark. The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) grant will allow the company to purchase 40 sets of protective gear, including pants, boots, helmets and coats.

“Firefighters are the first to arrive at emergency scenes in many of our communities and are prepared at every hour of every day to tame blazes, save lives, and protect properties,” said Senator Carper, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “We have an obligation to protect these brave men and women by providing them with the necessary tools to get the job done and return home to their families unharmed. This grant will help us meet that responsibility and will help ensure that our firefighters in Newark have every advantage to keep themselves and those who they are protecting safe.”

“The hallmark of Delaware first responders is their unfailing willingness to put the safety of others ahead of their own. Having joined many of them on ridealongs over the years, I know how dedicated they are to protecting our community,” said Congressman Carney, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “I also understand how important the right training and equipment is for their protection and safety. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant announced today will help firefighters in the Aetna Company get the state-of-the-art equipment they need to protect all of us. It’s an investment that will save lives and make all Delawareans safer.”

The objective of the AFG program is to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. The program is part of a federal initiative designed to enhance fire departments and un-affiliated EMS organization’s response capabilities. The funding aims to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5.6 billion in grants to first-responder operations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. This funding was part of round 17 of the FY 2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

WILMINGTON, DE – U.S. Rep. John Carney (D-DE) and SBA Delaware Director John Fleming conducted a small business tour/small business owner meet-and-greet in Rehoboth Beach, Del. on Thursday, September 25, 2014. The tour lauded small business success while spotlighting resources to sustain it, even in the face of disaster.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, particularly in this part of Sussex County that has such a strong tourism industry,” said Congressman Carney. “The federal government, through the Small Business Administration, provides tremendous resources for entrepreneurs looking to start a business, sustain its success, and prepare for emergency situations. I was very encouraged by the owners that we met today, and would suggest to anyone looking to start or grow a business to look into the assistance offered by our local SBA.”

“September is National Preparedness Month. We are proud of our small businesses’ success here in Delaware, and we want to remind entrepreneurs how important business continuity planning is to sustaining that success,” said John Fleming, SBA Delaware Director. “Each year small businesses nationwide are forced to close their doors in the aftermath of severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes. Business interruptions, even if they last just a few hours, are costly in terms of lost productivity and profits. It is important for entrepreneurs to take charge of the well-being of their own companies, the safety of their employees, and the sustenance of their local economies by being prepared to rebound quickly from any kind of disaster.”

During the tour, Rep. Carney and SBA Delaware Director Fleming visited the following businesses:

Bramble & Brine

315 Rehoboth Avenue

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Owners: Joe & Megan Churchman

Rehoboth Beach natives Joe and Megan Churchman will celebrate in October the one-year anniversary of this new addition to the Rehoboth restaurant scene. The Churchmans guided a “behind-the-scenes” tour of their restaurant and kitchen and discussed how the SBDC can assist a new business like Bramble & Brine develop a business plan. Bramble & Brine’s menu provides an alternative to boardwalk-style fast food.

Longtime friends and Delaware beach locals White & Kesselring opened this award-winning boutique in 2005. The shop is stocked with trendy to vintage modern dresses, quirky books, home decor and statement jewelry. Delaware Today named Downtown Cowgirl “2013 Boutique of the Year” and “2013 Best of Delaware Women’s Casual Clothing Boutique – Downstate.” The shop tour highlighted popular Fall fashion trends in Delaware. White and Kesselring discussed how the SBDC assists small businesses like Downtown Cowgirl develop a business plan and approach loan packaging.

The Small Biz tour stops by Downtown Cowgirl’s Rehoboth Avenue shop.

Josephine’s Daughter

146 Rehoboth Ave., Suite 6

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Owners: Deb Wilkins-Schiffer & Debbie Wilkins

Opened in 2009, this "wearable art" boutique features fashions, jewelry, and gifts, including one-of-a-kind pieces made by local and regional artists and fair-trade accessories from around the world. This shop tour highlighted works by Delaware-based artisans, as well as by an up-and-coming Hollywood designer whose designs have been worn by stars like Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry. Wilkins-Schiffer and Wilkins discussed how the SBDC assists small businesses like Josephine’s Daughter develop a business plan and approach loan packaging.

(R to L): Rep. Carney, Josephine’s Daughter Owner Deb Wilkins-Schiffer, SBA Delaware Director John Fleming, and SBA Delaware Deputy Director John Banks take time on the September 25 tour of her shop discuss the boutique’s upcoming 10-year anniversary celebration.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Yesterday evening, Congressman John Carney (D-DE) and dozens of employers, workers, and students visited Delcastle Technical High School to learn about opportunities in Delaware manufacturing. This “Blue Tech” fair, hosted by the Congressman, in coordination with the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District, helped students learn about the science and manufacturing based programs offered in the district’s schools, and connected employers with Delaware’s future manufacturing workforce.

As part of the fair, Congressman Carney also led a roundtable discussion with manufacturing and education leaders to hear directly about the opportunities for growth in the industry and the skills needed by today’s manufacturing companies. Participants in the roundtable included Dr. Vicki Gehrt, Superintendent of New Castle County Vo-Tech District; Mark Kleinschmidt, President of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce; Tom McCarthy, Director of Delaware Tech’s Innovation and Technology Center; and Brad Walters, VP of Operations for ILC Dover.

“We need to make things in America again to have a robust economy and create jobs that support middle class families,” said Congressman Carney. “But, manufacturing today isn’t the same as in years past. The challenges of a global marketplace are different, and the skills needed by employees are greater than ever before. We hosted this event so that students – the next generation of manufacturing leaders – could see the career opportunities ahead of them, and help businesses better understand the training that young people are receiving. I hope to continue making these connections throughout the state.”

“We were most eager to partner with Congressman Carney for this event,” said NCC Vo-Tech Superintendent Vicki Gehrt. “It is our objective as a career and technical school system to connect our students with industry partners. The more we learn about the needs of businesses the better we can prepare our students to be truly career ready when they graduate.”

Wednesday’s event was a follow-up to Congressman Carney’s Make It In Delaware Week, held last June to gather ideas for proposals that would revitalize manufacturing in the U.S. and Delaware. To read Congressman Carney’s Make it in Delaware plan, click here.

The event was also held as a ramp-up to National Manufacturing Day, taking place on October 3rd to raise awareness of coordinated efforts to revitalize the industry and connect with future generations.

Last week, Congressman Carney introduced H.R. 5567, the Education and Workforce Training Innovation Act, which would provide federal resources to technical schools and community colleges that are building innovative pathways for students to compete in the new “blue tech” economy. The Congressman’s bill will create two pilot programs: the Community Workforce Training Grants Pilot Program and the Financing a Skilled 21st Century Workforce Bonds Pilot Program. The first will direct $50 million toward technical schools and community colleges who work hand in hand with blue tech industries to develop collaborative training and work education programs. The second will utilize a pay-for-performance model that incentivizes private investors to come up with innovative ways to help close the skills gap and increase the number of completed apprenticeships and technical certifications.

U.S. manufacturing jobs have been declining for more than three decades. With the loss of companies like Chrysler, GM, Avon, and others, Delaware has lost more than 15,000 manufacturing jobs in the last 14 years.

However, signs show that manufacturing jobs are beginning to come back to the U.S. Companies like Apple, General Electric, and Whirlpool that had moved production overseas, are now bringing jobs back. In Delaware, Kraft Foods recently brought its Kool-Aid brand back from Mexico to Dover, and invested $10 million to expand its facility. In 2013, ILC purchased Grayling Industries, a manufacturer of industrial packaging products, and moved the facility from Juarez, Mexico to Seaford. Grayling recently hired more than 100 full-time employees and started full-scale operations in July.

WILMINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) last week introduced H.R. 5567, the Education and Workforce Training Innovation Act, which would provide federal resources to technical schools and community colleges that are building innovative pathways for students to compete in the new “blue tech” economy.

The legislation is the third in a series of bills the Congressman is unveiling that are the product of his year-long effort to address the rising cost of college and challenges facing recent graduates, and in particular, the “skills gap.” Over the past three decades, college costs have gone up 570 percent. They’ve increased at four times the median household income, and twice as fast as health care costs. Total U.S. student loan debt recently topped $1 trillion, which surpassed the total owed on both auto loans and credit card debt.

Across America employers are struggling to find the right talent, skills, and educational background to meet demand and move their businesses and the American economy forward. The Congressman’s bill will create two pilot programs: the Community Workforce Training Grants Pilot Program and the Financing a Skilled 21st Century Workforce Bonds Pilot Program. The first will direct $50 million toward technical schools and community colleges who work hand in hand with blue tech industries to develop collaborative training and work education programs. The second will utilize a pay-for-performance model that incentivizes private investors to come up with innovative ways to help close the skills gap and increase the number of completed apprenticeships and technical certifications.

“I’ve heard from employers across the state that manufacturers need highly-skilled, trained workers to compete in the global economy,” said Congressman Carney. “Our young people have what it takes to be those workers, but they need the proper education and training to help further their careers and move America forward. These programs will help close the skills gap -- giving our students more dependable, well-paying job prospects after graduation.”

Beginning last summer, Congressman Carney embarked on a comprehensive effort to understand the factors behind the rising cost of higher education and to explore options for increasing access to higher education. The Congressman hosted a roundtable discussion with Delaware parents, guidance counselors, and a college financial aid counselor to gain insight into the current financial aid system. He also hosted a telephone town hall meeting with more than 4,000 Delawareans to learn about their experiences and challenges surrounding the cost of higher education and access to post-secondary training. The Congressman hosted additional discussions with current college students, recent graduates, and a credit counselor to better understand the challenges young people with student loan debt face. He also spoke extensively with administrators from the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical & Community College, Wilmington University, Wesley College, and Goldey-Beacom College.

Click here to read more about the Education and Workforce Training Innovation Act.

WILMINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) last week introduced H.R. 5566, theSMART Grant Reauthorization Act, which would offer additional Pell Grants for low-income students majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)-based field. The legislation is the second in a series of bills the Congressman is unveiling that are the product of his year-long effort to address the rising cost of college. Over the past three decades, college costs have gone up 570 percent. They’ve increased at four times the median household income, and twice as fast as health care costs. Total U.S. student loan debt recently topped $1 trillion, which surpassed the total owed on both auto loans and credit card debt.

The SMART Grant Reauthorization Act enables students from low- and middle-income families to better afford a degree in critical STEM fields. The bill reauthorizes a program that awards $4,000 SMART Grants to eligible college Juniors and Seniors who are both majoring in the STEM fields and Pell Grant recipients. Eligible recipients must be pursuing a major in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering and have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Federal Pell Grants are awarded on a sliding scale based on financial need, up to $5,500 per year. They do not need to be repaid, and so do not contribute to students’ loan burden upon graduation. The SMART grants are in addition to the base Pell Grant award. The original SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) Grant program expired in 2011.

“Higher education is key to our country’s economic competitiveness, but the cost of college is higher than ever,” said Congressman Carney. “Across the state, I’ve heard from employers who struggle to find individuals trained in STEM fields who are qualified to fill open positions. This bill gives those students who are committed to the STEM field an added incentive to stay in school, get their degree, and graduate ready for the workforce, without accumulating a mountain of debt.”

Beginning last summer, Congressman Carney embarked on a comprehensive effort to understand the factors behind the rising cost of higher education and to explore options for making college more affordable. The Congressman hosted a roundtable discussion with Delaware parents, guidance counselors, and a college financial aid counselor to gain insight into the current financial aid system. He also hosted a telephone town hall meeting with more than 4,000 Delawareans to learn about their experiences and challenges surrounding the cost of higher education. The Congressman hosted additional discussions with current college students, recent graduates, and a credit counselor to better understand the challenges young people with student loan debt face. He also spoke extensively with administrators from the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical & Community College, Wilmington University, Wesley College, and Goldey-Beacom College.

WILMINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) yesterday introduced H.R. 5565, the Protect Student Borrowers Act designed to lower the cost of college and better prepare students to pay their student loans by ensuring they graduate equipped to find good-paying jobs. The legislation is one of a series of bills the Congressman will unveil over the next several days that are the product of his year-long effort to address the rising cost of college. Over the past three decades, college costs have gone up 570 percent. They’ve increased at four times the median household income, and twice as fast as health care costs. Total U.S. student loan debt recently topped $1 trillion, which surpassed the total owed on both auto loans and credit card debt.

The Protect Student Borrowers Act ensures colleges have “skin in the game” when it comes to the amount of debt their students are taking on. The billcreates a risk-sharing program whereby colleges whose students are especially likely to default on their student loans based on data collected over the previous three years would be responsible for assuming a portion of that debt, on a sliding scale. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

“Higher education is key to our country’s economic competitiveness, but the cost of college is higher than ever,” said Congressman Carney. “Colleges need to be held accountable for providing students with an education that’s worth the money.”

Beginning last summer, Congressman Carney embarked on a comprehensive effort to understand the factors behind the rising cost of higher education and to explore options for making college more affordable. The Congressman hosted a roundtable discussion with Delaware parents, guidance counselors, and a college financial aid counselor to gain insight into the current financial aid system. He also hosted a telephone town hall meeting with more than 4,000 Delawareans to learn about their experiences and challenges surrounding the cost of higher education. The Congressman hosted additional discussions with current college students, recent graduates, and a credit counselor to better understand the challenges young people with student loan debt face. He also spoke extensively with administrators from the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical & Community College, Wilmington University, Wesley College, and Goldey-Beacom College.

]]>Fri, 19 Sep 2014 19:02:14 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=605:congressman-carney-introduces-bill-to-reduce-student-loan-debt&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Statement on ISIS Amendmenthttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=603:congressman-carney-statement-on-isis-amendment&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON,DE — Congressman John Carney today released the following statement explaining his vote in favor of the amendment authorizing the training and arming of rebels to defeat ISIS:

“Today I supported the President’s request to give him the authority to provide training and support to rebel groups fighting to defeat ISIS. I cast this vote with serious reservations, and only after much deliberation. We know that ISIS is a brutal, vicious enemy. And I have concluded that the threat that ISIS poses to Americans at home and abroad is so serious that it requires action on our part to destroy them.

That said, I believe the proposal the House passed today is the best of a host of bad options. I am concerned that we may be unable to identify reliable partners to do the necessary work on the ground. I am concerned about mission creep. And I am concerned that these new authorities will put American resources on the line while still being insufficient to accomplish the task of destroying ISIS.

As the campaign against ISIS progresses, Congress has a responsibility to change course if any of these consequences result. Today’s amendment grants only short-term authorities to the Administration, and over these next three months, we have an obligation to hold the Administration accountable for using these authorities responsibly and as Congress intended.”

WILMINGTON, Del. — Congressman John Carney will be hosting a “Blue Tech” fair, in coordination with the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District, to help future students and their families learn about the science and manufacturing based programs offered in the district’s schools, and to connect employers with Delaware’s future manufacturing workforce. Current students and their families will also have the opportunity to meet professionals in their chosen field of study and gain valuable insight into potential career opportunities after graduation.

The fair will be Wednesday, September 24, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Delcastle Technical High School. It will be FREE and open to the public.

Attendees to the “Blue Tech” fair will be able to hear directly from NCCVT students about the manufacturing programs and skills they are learning, interact with Delaware employers that create manufacturing job opportunities, and participate in a discussion on the future of manufacturing in the state.

WHO: U.S. Representative John Carney

Dr. Vicki Gehrt, Superintendent, New Castle County Vo-Tech School District

More than 35 employers and organizations offering services and resources to veterans were on hand, hiring for jobs in the public, private and non-profit sector.

“As a 23-year veteran of the Navy, I know firsthand the sacrifices members of our military make to defend our nation,” said Sen. Carper, a member of the Senate Veterans Job Caucus. “These brave and dedicated men and women finish their service as leaders with sharp skills, making them highly desirable job candidates. I will continue working to ensure our country's veterans can find good professional opportunities as they transition into civilian life."

“The men and women who serve in our armed forces come home with unique skills and tested leadership experience, bringing immense value to the employers who hire them,” Senator Coons said. “In speaking with veterans, military leaders, business leaders, and government officials - as well as with business owners – it’s clear that one of the best things we could do was simply to create opportunities for these employers to meet these talented Americans. I am pleased to partner with the Congressional Delegation to put our veterans in the same room with employers ready to help them return to the civilian workforce.”

“Delaware's veterans have the experience, skills, and training that many of our employers are looking for,” said Congressman Carney. “I'm glad that so many came to today's job fair and met employers that can help them begin the next phase of their careers. That's our goal in hosting these events, and we'll continue looking for opportunities to connect Delaware job seekers with employers in our community.”

Since 2011, the Congressional Delegation has hosted 17 general job fairs and 5 job fairs for veterans. The next job fair for veterans will be held on Monday, August 25, 2014, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Middletown Volunteer Hose Company, 27 W. Green St., Middletown, Del. For more information, go to carper.senate.gov/veterans.

In September, the delegation will host a job fair for the general public on Sept. 5, 2014, at Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington.

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]]>Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:02:22 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=599:nearly-100-veterans-attend-job-fair&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Senators Carper, Coons, Rep. Carney announce $5 million grant to expand Delaware Airparkhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=598:senators-carper-coons-rep-carney-announce-5-million-grant-to-expand-delaware-airpark&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
CHESWOLD, Del. – On Monday, U.S. Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney joined by Delaware State University President Dr. Harry Williams, Delaware River and Bay Authority Executive Director Scott Green, and students from DSU’s aviation program to announce a $5 million dollar grant to update and expand the Delaware Airpark.

This project is Phase XI of an ongoing multi-year project to expand the airport by constructing a new runway, its parallel taxiway, connector taxiways and apron system. It will include site preparation, environmental mitigation and construction of a new airport perimeter road.

“Today’s grant award announcement to expand the Delaware Airpark is a win-win for Kent County,” Sen. Carper said. “The improvements will not only create jobs, but it will provide a better training facility for students at DSU, and services to the Department of the Interior and NASA. This is a great example of the federal government creating a nurturing environment for job growth and job training on the local level.”

“We must continue to invest in America’s infrastructure,” said Sen. Coons. “Investing in our roads, bridges, highways and our airports lead to economic opportunities. As Delaware Airpark continues to develop, it means more job opportunities and but significant improvements for the aviation students at Delaware State University and commercial entities who utilize the airport.”

“My most important role in Congress is finding ways to put Delawareans back to work, and proper funding and updates to our infrastructure makes that job a lot easier,” said Congressman Carney. “A runway extension at Delaware Airpark helps the airport compete for business regionally, enhances Delaware State University’s pilot training courses, and puts Kent County in a better position to take advantage of economic opportunities. It’s a good project for Kent and all of Delaware.”

Delaware Airpark serves the general aviation needs of central Delaware and Dover, and is the home of the Delaware State University Aviation Program.

WILMINGTON, DE — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) visited The Loft at Start It Up Delaware on Wednesday to meet with Delaware entrepreneurs, tour the new office space, and discuss opportunities for job creation through small business development. Start It Up Delaware is a public-private partnership that serves as a hub for entrepreneurs looking to transform ideas into reality. The partnership allows its members to access training, office space, and financial and legal resources to develop their start up ideas into businesses.

Congressman Carney participated in Start It Up Delaware’s weekly Doughnuts and Demos meeting, a platform for members to discuss progress in their business plans and get feedback from mentors and other entrepreneurs.

“This is where job creation starts,” said Congressman Carney. “The vast majority of new jobs come from small businesses. It’s government’s role to set fair policies and create an environment where businesses of all sizes can compete. Start It Up Delaware has an amazing group of creative, collaborative entrepreneurs building strong businesses from the ground up. Today’s visit was important for me to get their feedback on the challenges they face and how we can work together on creating opportunities for growth.”

“It was a pleasure to have Congressman Carney participate in our meeting and show him some of the creative projects that our members are working on,” said Mona Parikh, Managing Director of Start It Up Delaware. “Entrepreneurs are a growing part of the economy, and we try to celebrate them, support them, and give them access to the resources they need to grow. We’ve made a lot of progress in recent years, and I’m looking forward to building this venture even further.”

The visit coincides with Start Up Day Across America, an effort started by the bipartisan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus in the U.S. House to help raise awareness of startup companies and build support for local members of the entrepreneurial community. A recent Kauffman Foundation study found that between 1980 and 2005 businesses less than five years old accounted for an average of 3 million jobs per year. According to Startup America, nationwide, 27% of startups are owned by women and 33% are owned by minorities. These startup companies are involved in a wide variety of industries including technology, creative design, retail, and education.

The Congressman has championed small business growth since his election to the House of Representatives. In 2012, Congressman Carney introduced key measures making it easier for emerging growth companies to go public and access needed capital. His improvements were included in the JOBS Act that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama.

“The Citizens United decision drastically increased the role of money in politics while drowning out the voices of everyday Americans,” said Congressman Carney. “This Constitutional amendment will help rein in campaign spending and restore fairness to the political process.”

The Constitutional amendment allows states and Congress to limit campaign contributions or expenditures for candidates seeking election to federal office, including those made independently through PACs. The amendment also gives Congress and states the power to restrict campaign spending by outside organizations within a designated time period leading up to an election.

The Citizens United decision overturned campaign finance laws that had previously served to limit the ability of corporations to influence elections. In order to reverse this decision by the Court, a Constitutional amendment is required. Prior to this decision, Congress and the states had the flexibility to prohibit outside organizations from spending money in support of or in opposition to a candidate running for office.

This meant that companies and advocacy groups were free to advocate their positions or advocate for candidates who supported their positions, but Congress and the states still retained the right to place some limits on campaign advocacy. For example, prior to the Citizens United decision there were limitations on the use of a candidate’s name in third-party advertising during a certain period of time leading up to the election. Since the Supreme Court’s decision, outside groups have been able to spend unlimited amounts of money through Election Day.

WASHINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) today introduced H.R. 5188, the Checking Account Simplification Act, legislation to implement a straight-forward, easy-to-understand model checking account disclosure form that can be adopted across the banking services industry. These disclosure forms will ensure consumers know up front the fees and costs associated with opening a checking account.

“People opening a standard checking account shouldn’t be surprised by hidden fees or get caught in unfair policies,” said Congressman Carney. “My legislation ensures that Americans can make confident, informed choices when deciding where to keep their money.”

The Checking Account Simplification Act would direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to consult with the banking services industry to develop a standardized, easy-to-read model disclosure form that would include disclosures related to overdraft fees, the costs of opening or closing a checking account, processing policies, and procedures for resolving disputes between consumers and banks. Banks would be required to present the form to consumers before opening a new checking account.

Rashmi Rangan, executive director, of the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, Inc., said, “DCRAC applauds Congressman Carney for introducing this bill, as it pushes for transparency and it illustrates the importance of the new CFPB working effectively with the banking industry.” DCRAC’s mission is to ensure equitable treatment and equal access to credit and capital for underserved populations throughout Delaware.

According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, checking account disclosure forms in Delaware are on average 49 pages in length, with an average 21 extra fees ranging from $.10 to $125. In Delaware, 88 percent of checking accounts have monthly fees of an average of $14 per month. The average overdraft penalty is $35.

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]]>Thu, 24 Jul 2014 20:06:46 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=589:congressman-carney-introduces-bill-to-protect-consumers-opening-checking-accounts&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Statement on President Obama’s Executive Order Protecting LGBT Workershttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=588:congressman-carney-statement-on-president-obama-s-executive-order-protecting-lgbt-workers&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON-- Congressman Carney today released the following statement after President Barack Obama signed an executive order to ban federal contractors from discriminating against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in federal contracts:

“The President’s executive order is a welcome step forward in our country’s march toward equality. Discrimination has no place in America’s workplaces -- this executive order gives federal employees and contractors the protections they deserve.

“While I’m pleased that the President has taken this step, the House needs to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act so that all Americans are guaranteed these same protections. Delaware and several other states have already led the way in taking these steps. I’m hopeful that Congress will come together to ensure that Americans can no longer be fired because of who they are or who they love.”

Congressman Carney signed a bicameral letter in March urging the President to issue an order like the one issued today. The Congressman is a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

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]]>Fri, 25 Jul 2014 20:15:54 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=588:congressman-carney-statement-on-president-obama-s-executive-order-protecting-lgbt-workers&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175The News Journal Op-Ed: Let’s band together to save the 30-year mortgagehttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=587:the-news-journal-op-ed-let-s-band-together-to-save-the-30-year-mortgage&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
When I was in my early 30s, I bought the home I live in now – in Wilmington right near Warner Elementary. My brother and dad went in on it with me. The only way my brother and I could qualify was with my dad’s credit, and the only way we could afford the monthly payments was to take out a 30-year mortgage.

If homeownership is part of the American dream, so is the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Most of you reading this, if you own a home, probably purchased it using this type of mortgage. For those of us first-time home buyers with car payments or student loans or credit-card debt, spreading your mortgage out over 30 years is the only way to make it work. For many, the 30-year mortgage is a gateway to the middle class.

The trouble is, as we saw in the 2008 housing crisis, our current housing finance system puts taxpayer dollars in jeopardy. We need to find a way to change that, while making sure the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continues to be an option for home-buyers across the country.

Leading up to the 2008 housing downturn, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – private companies chartered by the government – bought and sold mortgages, with the purpose of injecting more cash into the housing market and allowing more Americans to own homes. The debt that Fannie and Freddie took on was not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, but it was commonly believed that the federal government would, in fact, back these entities in the event of a downturn.

As a result of this understood government guarantee, Fannie and Freddie were able to borrow money at very low rates in order to purchase mortgages, package them together, and sell them to investors. In the lead-up to the mortgage crisis in September of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac adopted too many of the risky practices of the subprime mortgage industry. As a result, they got themselves into extreme financial difficulty. In order to prevent an even worse financial meltdown, the government took control of Fannie and Freddie – and bailed them out. And that means that today, the taxpayers effectively own these entities. The problem is that in the event of another housing crisis, taxpayers would once again be on the hook for bailing out Fannie and Freddie.

Some have called for eliminating the government’s role in housing all together. In fact, there’s a proposal right now in the U.S. House of Representatives that would eliminate the government guarantee and severely limit access to affordable housing options. Experts agree that doing so would cut off access to the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and foreclose the dream of homeownership for countless Delawareans. It would be extremely disruptive to the housing market for the foreseeable future.

I’ve teamed up with two of my colleagues – Rep. John Delaney of Maryland and Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut – to protect taxpayer dollars, ensure that banks keep offering the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and maintain access to affordable housing options.

The Partnership to Strengthen Home Ownership Act, makes it so that if another housing crisis happened, private money – not taxpayer dollars – would take the biggest hit. It also allocates resources to the long neglected Housing Trust Fund to provide more housing options for low and middle income families. Unfortunately, as is the case with most things in Washington, reforming our housing finance system has become a partisan issue.

The good news, though, is that our proposal structures the new system in such a way that people on both sides of the aisle can support it. To learn more about the details of my bill, visit my website at www.johncarney.house.gov.

Close to 65 percent of Americans own their own home. For generations, owning a home has been tied to American prosperity, the American dream, and the strength of the middle class. After World War II, we saw a rise in homeownership as couples who made it through the war gave birth to the baby boom generation and bought houses – much like my own parents, Ann and Jack, did in Claymont.

Whether you’re a senior citizen who looks back with pride at the home you raised your children in, or a young couple just starting out, excited to move in to your first home together – the ability to buy a home is a hallmark of the American middle class.

We owe it to our nation’s history and our children’s future to ensure that our system for buying and selling homes is built upon stable financial ground. I’m hopeful that even if my colleagues in Congress can’t agree on everything, they can agree on this.

WASHINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE), along with Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) , today introduced the bipartisanC-130 Modernization Act, legislation to prevent wasteful spending and allow the United States Air Force to modernize the C-130H aircraft in a fiscally responsible manner without jeopardizing our national security.

The C-130H aircraft is the military’s primary combat delivery aircraft and has provided humanitarian assistance, precision airdrop and tactical airlift across the globe for more than 40 years. Currently, the C-130H fleet is flown by Air National Guard units in Delaware and 17 additional states and has played an invaluable role in our nation’s security, both at home and abroad. Unless the C-130 H fleet is upgraded and modernized, the aircraft will be inoperable in 2020 due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and international safety regulations. This could mean the end of the Delaware National Guard’s C-130 flying mission, along with associated job losses.

For the past 13 years, the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) has been the designated program to upgrade the C-130H fleet to ensure its compliance with national and international regulations before the 2020 deadline. But due to significant cost overruns, the Air Force announced in 2012 that it wanted to abandon the AMP program and pursue a scaled-down and more cost-effective solution. A Congressionally mandated cost-benefit study found that modernizing just the navigation systems of the C-130H fleet would cost a quarter of the AMP program, saving $12 million per aircraft, while still allowing the C-130H fleet to meet all flight and airspace safety requirements by 2020.

The C-130 Modernization Act gives the Air Force the option to pursue this more targeted and fiscally responsible modernization approach. It would allow the Air Force to pursue either the AMP program or the cost-effective alternative program solely modernizing the navigation systems of the planes. The legislation does not cancel the AMP program, but instead gives the Secretary of the Air Force the flexibility to determine how best to upgrade the C-130H fleet in order to meet the 2020 deadline.

“Delaware's National Guard plays an integral part in our national security -- both at home and abroad, and the C-130 is vital to allowing them to do their job,” said Congressman Carney. “This legislation helps ensure the Guard will be able to continue to use the C-130 fleet into the future while cutting costs and saving taxpayer dollars.”

The 54 Adjutants General of the United States National Guard voted unanimously to support the Air Force’s efforts to modernize the C-130H fleet and expressed support for an alternative, cost-effective solution to the AMP program.

Sen. Carper’s office is currently accepting applications from employers who wish to participate at the fair. Registration is based on a first-come, first served basis. For more information, please call Sen. Carper’s Dover office at (302) 674-3308.

The bill establishes an insurance program through Ginnie Mae whereby it makes available the full faith and credit of the federal government, while protecting taxpayer dollars through adequate private sector capital and accurate pricing of government reinsurance. All government guaranteed single-family and multi-family mortgage-backed securities will be supported by a minimum of 5% private sector capital, standing in a first loss position. The remaining 95% of the risk will be shared between Ginnie Mae and a private reinsurer on a pari passu basis.

The bill winds down Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s current activities and revokes their charter, but allows them to be sold and recapitalized as entities with different business plans without any of their current unique powers.

“The driving force behind my work on this bill is to keep home-buying affordable by preserving the thirty-year fixed rate mortgage, while protecting taxpayer dollars in the event of another housing downturn,” said Congressman Carney. “We aren’t the first group to try to find a solution to reforming our housing finance system. But we think our proposal has promise because it strikes the necessary balance between public and private sector involvement in the housing market. If we don’t fix the current system, taxpayers continue to be the backstop in case of another crisis, and the thirty-year fixed rate mortgage is in danger.”

“America needs housing finance reform for the long-term health of the economy, the viability of the American Dream of homeownership, and the protection of the U.S. taxpayer. Congress has to act and we are committed to keeping housing finance reform on the agenda,” said Congressman Delaney. “We’ve seen what happens when the housing market becomes distorted and policy fails the public: hard-working Americans lose their homes, the economy slumps and the taxpayer is left responsible. By maintaining a government guarantee, introducing private sector pricing and increased taxpayer protections, our legislation can bring both sides of the aisle together. Neither side has a monopoly on good ideas and I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholder groups so that we can stabilize the housing finance market for decades to come.”

“This legislation ensures that new homeowners will continue to have access to the affordable, predictable financing options they need, while protecting taxpayers and our economy from future downturns,” said Congressman Himes. “Our bill combines the market’s efficiency in pricing risk with government's ability to provide scale to create a safer, more liquid housing market that preserves access to affordable housing for American families.”

The full text of the legislation is available here. More information on the bill can be found here.

]]>Thu, 10 Jul 2014 21:33:00 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=585:reps-carney-delaney-and-himes-introduce-housing-reform-legislation&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Coons, Carney join Delaware State Fire School to announce life-saving granthttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=581:carper-coons-carney-join-delaware-state-fire-school-to-announce-life-saving-grant&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney joined members of the Delaware State Fire School to announce a $234,600 grant from the federal Assistance to Firefighters program that will help the school purchase new and updated equipment. The funds will improve safety by allowing the school to replace protective “turnout gear” purchased more than 25 years ago.

“I am so grateful to the men and women who sacrifice their safety to save and protect our homes and loved ones from fire,” said Sen. Carper, Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “The best way to properly thank those who serve and protect us is to give them the tools and education they need. That is why I’m so happy to announce that this funding that is going toward new fire school gear, software and tools at the Delaware Fire School, where firefighters learn best practices to safely and effectively perform their duties.”

“I can't imagine we would send a firefighter into a fire with a broken Halligan tool, with a nozzle that didn't work, or a pumper that didn't pump” said Sen. Coons. “Why would we send these instructors into a controlled burn or an actual fire scene with equipment this out of date? The help of the Assistance of Firefighters Grant, ensures the equipment, the resources, the software and the bunker gear for the instructors at the Delaware State Fire School is the best it can possibly be.”

“The hallmark of Delaware first responders is their unfailing willingness to put the safety of others ahead of their own. Having joined many of them on ridealongs over the years, I know how dedicated they are to protecting those in our community,” said Congressman Carney, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “I also understand how important the right training and equipment is for their protection and the safety of all of us. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant announced today will help our first responders get the top-notch training and field experience they need to protect all of us. It’s an investment that will save lives and make all Delawareans safer.”

The Delaware State Fire School provides fire, rescue, emergency medical training, and public fire safety education to firefighters and rescue workers from Delaware and around the world. Delaware State Fire School educated 11,000 firefighters and 10,000 EMTs in 2013 and the school’s fire safety program reached over 20,000 members of the public.

The Delaware State Fire School will divvy the grant award as follows: $100,000 for turnout gear for the instructors that will replace gear purchased in 1988, $48,000 for portable radios, $38,000 for 27 tablet computers to replace desktop units, $35,000 for new projectors for 13 classrooms in Kent and New Castle County centers, $18,000 for fire command simulation software, and $5,000 for classroom polling devices. The Delaware State Fire School will pick up the remaining 15 percent of expenses.

DELAWARE BAYSHORE (June 27, 2014) – With the scenic beauty of Mispillion Harbor Reserve as a backdrop, Delaware’s Congressional Delegation of US Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney and DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara were joined by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Director Wendi Weber and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation field representative Martin McHugh to highlight the state’s $6.9 million in funding from the US Department of the Interior (DOI) through Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency appropriations.

This month, DOI Secretary Sally Jewell released $102.7 million in Sandy recovery funding to support 54 projects along the Atlantic coast. The funds awarded to Delaware were made available through a competitive grants program administered by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

"Delaware is playing a leading role as we work to make coastal communities more resilient to future storms in the face of climate change and sea-level rise," said Interior Sec. Jewell, who announced the grants on June 16. "These grants make it possible for our partners here in Delaware to take action to restore and enhance beaches, marshes and other natural defenses that will help communities and wildlife recover from Sandy and create natural resilience for the future."

“Severe storms and coastal flooding have damaged protective tidal marshes and infrastructure posing significant risks to Delaware’s quality of life,” said Governor Jack Markell. "This funding builds on our efforts to not only restore resources damaged by Hurricane Sandy, but also to reduce the risk of major damage to Delaware’s Bayshore and all of our communities in future storms. Our Congressional Delegation recognizes that these initiatives protect our precious natural resources while also supporting jobs and strengthening our economy. I'm grateful for their work to support this funding.”

The federal funds will be used to design and construct projects to restore Delaware Bay wetland and beach habitats that will reduce coastal flooding and enhance the resiliency of ecosystems degraded by storms, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The funding supports Delaware’s efforts to protect lands, infrastructure, and communities along the Bayshore from future coastal storms and sea level rise. The federal grants will leverage state, local and partner funds.

“Over the years, the state and federal government have combined efforts to help mitigate the effects of superstorms,” said Sen. Carper. “Whether it is creating wide, robust beaches and a strong and healthy dune system, or looking at new ways to build roads to withstand flooding, Delaware is constantly looking at ways to protect our homes, businesses and communities from strong storms. I am confident this funding will help Delaware explore other adaptive measures so when the next major storm strikes, the First State will be prepared.”

"Protecting and restoring Delaware's wetlands and coastal habitats is incredibly important to maintain our significant and unique natural resources," said Sen. Coons. "In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, these much-needed funds will help a great deal in restoring and repairing Delaware's vast natural ecosystem and protecting such animals as horseshoe crabs and the imperiled Red Knot in the Mispillion Harbor Reserve and Milford Neck Conservation Area."

“The Delaware coastline is a beautiful natural habitat enjoyed by residents and visitors across the region. It’s our responsibility to help protect this resource for future generations to enjoy,” said Congressman Carney. “The federal funding announced today protects central areas of the Delaware Bayshore, the animals and wildlife that rely on it, and surrounding land and residences. It’s essential work so that these parts of our state can be better prepared for the next storm emergency.”

“Improving Delaware’s coastal resiliency and preparedness to storms, sea level rise and other climate impacts is not just essential for wildlife habitat, it’s important for supporting a thriving economy and protecting the health and safety of our residents,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara. “I want to commend everyone involved – our Congressional Delegation, Senators Carper and Coons and Congressman Carney – for their help in bringing this important funding to Delaware. I am also proud of our DNREC team and the collaborative effort to pursue these funds with partners such as The Nature Conservancy, Delaware Wild Lands, Delmarva Ornithological Society, the National Wildlife Federation and the many communities impacted by coastal storms."

Delaware was awarded three DOI grants that will be used for projects in the state’s central Bayshore area degraded by coastal storms, severe flooding and erosion – an area that no longer provides high quality habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife dependent on coastal marshes and wetlands. The central Bayshore marshes, a major stopover point in the Atlantic Flyway for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, and the surrounding lands and adjacent resources are at risk for more severe flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion, which has been greatly accelerated by multiple coastal storms in recent years. The projects will benefit more than 15,000 acres of tidal marshes and wetlands and more than 3 miles of beach habitat and protect more than 2 miles of navigation channels.

“These grants are in many ways symbolic of the core mission of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “They address current challenges, but at the same time, they lay the groundwork for addressing community needs and advancing long-term conservation of critical habitat and species. And these grants leverage the initial investment from the Department of the Interior with millions of dollars of additional funding and in-kind contributions, leading to a much greater conservation impact for those regions devastated by Hurricane Sandy.”

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) was awarded two grants totaling $6.5 million that will increase coastal resiliency of Bayshore lands from Mispillion Harbor (near the Town of Slaughter Beach) to Milford Neck Conservation Area and from the Mahon River (near the Town of Little Creek) to the St. Jones River.

A $4.5 million grant to DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife entails projects that will restore the most vulnerable shorelines in Mispillion Harbor, increase resiliency of important habitat for spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds including the Red Knot, and protect the tidal flow and navigation channels of the Mispillion River and Cedar Creek. Restoration and resiliency planned for the harbor will also protect the navigation channel through Mispillion Inlet, ensuring continued commercial and recreational access to the Delaware Bay. Efforts to maintain tidal flow through Mispillion Inlet will complement restoration work at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Plans to design restoration strategies for Milford Neck marshes will reduce flood risks to adjacent communities, forests and agricultural lands. This project builds upon the success of the Milford Neck Conservation Area Partnership, a coalition that includes DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, Delaware Wild Lands, and The Nature Conservancy, to conserve and restore lands, waters and habitat.

“A variety of natural and human interventions over the years have severely compromised the marsh complex at Milford Neck,” said Richie Jones, Delaware state director for The Nature Conservancy. “This grant will begin the process of restoring the functionality and resiliency of this valuable natural asset, which will in turn provide economic, social and ecological benefits to Delaware.”

“Today’s event and timing of this grant award are particularly noteworthy because tomorrow is the anniversary of Delaware’s landmark Coastal Zone Act, which passed 43 years ago,” said Kate Hackett, executive director of Delaware Wild Lands. “Delaware Wild Lands, the State of Delaware, The Nature Conservancy, and other conservation partners recognize generations of investment in the coastal communities and working landscapes of Milford Neck and the importance of this grant to the long-term vitality of our saltmarshes, upland forests, coastal farms and communities. Delaware Wild Lands looks forward to building on these great accomplishments by advancing restoration projects that benefit Delaware’s critical wildlife habitat, natural resources, and coastal economy.”

A second grant of $2 million to DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will be used to design and construct restoration projects for coastal wetland impoundments and beach habitat from Ted Harvey Conservation Area north to Port Mahon. These projects will increase the resiliency of habitat and reduce sea level rise and flooding vulnerabilities of Kitts Hummock, Pickering Beach, the Town of Little Creek and more than 1,300 acres of farmland. Two coastal wetland impoundments at Little Creek Wildlife Area and Ted Harvey Conservation Area will be restored.

A third grant of $400,000 was awarded to the University of Delaware to develop a three-dimensional wetland model for the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The project will provide an extensively-tested tool for assessing the present state of the refuge, evaluating restoration strategies and predicting the refuge marshes’ long-term sustainability. The project enhances work on Delaware Bay storm surge and sediment processes being done concurrently for DNREC, by providing an additional focus on Delaware’s natural wetlands that complement existing projects on resilience and sustainability of coastal communities.

Delaware’s first recipient of this program, the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, will loan funds to seven rural municipalities to convert existing street lights to more affordable LED lights. The municipalities, Middletown, Smyrna, Clayton, Dover, Milford, Seaford and Lewes, will receive loans in total of $593,120 for 10 years at zero percent interest.

The USDA loan will support the installation of 700 new LED street lights in the eligible communities saving customers thousands of dollars annually while reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

“Every little thing that we do to become more energy efficient has a larger ripple effect,” said Sen. Carper. “Not only are we protecting the environment, but we are also easing budgetary pressures on our municipalities, and that’s a win-win situation.”

“Saving energy is a common-sense way to lower energy costs, help the environment, and boost our nation’s energy security,” Senator Coons said. “Energy efficiency is an enormous opportunity that more communities should be taking advantage of. This investment by USDA Rural Development and the facilitation of Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation will help seven Delaware communities reduce their energy consumption and reap some of the benefits modern energy efficiency can offer.”

“This project is a great example of federal and local partners working together to support jobs, enhance public safety, and protect the environment,” said Congressman Carney. “Improvements like this shine a light on the many unique and attractive things Delaware towns offer for residents, visitors, and businesses.”

“Small towns are the backbone of rural Delaware,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Bill McGowan. “When towns work together and take advantage of opportunities such as the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program today through Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, it benefits all of us who call these communities home.”

“DEMEC is very happy to participate in this joint effort of Federal, State and Local organizations,” said Patrick McCullar, President & CEO of the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation. “This project is a great example of our mission. Jointly advancing our common goals of increasing energy efficiency and improving quality of life in our member communities here in Delaware. We are very excited about working with the USDA and Tony DePrima of the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility to do this very beneficial and cost-effective LED street lighting project for the betterment of our Delaware communities”

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]]>Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:21:35 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=579:carper-coons-carney-join-usda-rural-development-to-announce-energy-saving-initiatives-in-seven-delaware-municipalities&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Coons, Carney Announce Department of Energy Grant Award to the University of Delaware for Researchhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=577:carper-coons-carney-announce-department-of-energy-grant-award-to-the-university-of-delaware-for-research&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON, Del. – Today U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney (all D-Del.) announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the University of Delaware’s Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI) a $12 million grant aimed at accelerating the scientific breakthroughs needed to build the 21st-century energy economy.

The CCEI will use this award to continue its efforts to discover catalytic technologies to transform widely abundant plant biomass into renewable fuels and chemicals. CCEI will develop biomass-derived chemicals that can replace petroleum-based chemicals in consumer products, such as clothing, plastic bottles, and food packaging.

“I am thrilled that the University of Delaware’s Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation has won this competitive grant for energy research,” Sen. Carper said. “These funds will help drive innovation and carry our country toward an energy future that grows our economy and protects our environment. The University of Delaware and its talented students and faculty have already made significant contributions to energy innovations that have the potential to power our state and our country. The additional funding provided in this grant will be a shot in the arm that enables the center to make even more progress even faster.”

“Thanks to this grant, the University of Delaware will continue to play a key leadership role in innovation and energy research,” Sen. Coons said.. “The awarding of this grant reflects the leading-edge activities the university’s researchers have conducted, and the fact they were awarded another five-year round to continue research with the Catalysis Center, reflects the importance of their work. I have strongly supported this type of innovative work at Delaware and will continue to support its activities in the role for future ‘grand challenge’ research initiatives.”

“I’ve heard over and over from Delaware manufacturers that lower energy costs make it easier to compete in the global market,” Congressman Carney said. “We need to seize this advantage and make investments that will continue to bring the price of energy down, create jobs, and support the economy. The University of Delaware’s Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation is doing cutting-edge research in this field that could lead to breakthroughs in how we power our homes and businesses. I can’t wait to hear more about their progress.”

The University of Delaware is one of 32 Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) selected to receive a portion of $100 million for energy research. Awards range from $2 million to $4 million per year per center for up to four fiscal years.

DELAWARE BAYSHORE (June 16, 2014) – Today, Governor Jack Markell and Delaware’s Congressional Delegation of U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney and DNREC Sec. Collin O’Mara announced that the state has received $6.9 million in federal funding to design and construct projects for Delaware Bay wetland and beach habitats that will minimize coastal flooding and enhance the resiliency of communities and ecosystems degraded by storms, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The funding will support Delaware’s efforts to protect lands, infrastructure, and communities along the Bayshore from future coastal storms and sea level rise. The federal grants will leverage state, local and partner funds.

Delaware received funding from the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) through the Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency appropriations. Earlier today, DOI Secretary Sally Jewell released $102.7 million in recovery funding to support 54 projects along the Atlantic coast. Interior’s commitment of $100 million was matched with $2.7 million from the U.S. Attorney General’s offices in New Jersey and Delaware, as well as donations from Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

“We must address the reality of the increasing frequency of severe storms that have battered our coast and damaged protective tidal marshes and infrastructure," said Governor Markell. "This funding builds on our efforts to restore coastal resources and increase the resilience of the Delaware Bayshore, while supporting jobs through projects that strengthen local economies. I'm grateful for the tireless work of our Congressional delegation to help advocate for natural resources that are vital to our economy and quality of life.”

Funds awarded to Delaware, made available through a competitive grants program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will increase the resiliency of Bayshore habitats, reduce flood risks to communities and agricultural lands, and prevent catastrophic loss of coastal wetlands to open water. The projects will benefit more than 15,000 acres of tidal marshes and wetlands and more than 3 miles of beach habitat and protect more than 2 miles of navigation channels.

“Over the years, the state and federal government have combined efforts to help mitigate the effects of superstorms,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “Whether it is creating wide, robust beaches and a strong and healthy dune system, or looking at new ways to build roads to withstand flooding, Delaware is constantly looking at ways to protect our homes, businesses and communities from strong storms. I am confident this funding will help Delaware explore other adaptive measures so when the next major storm strikes, the First State will be prepared.”

"Protecting and restoring Delaware's wetlands and coastal habitat are incredibly important to maintain our significant and unique natural resources," said Sen. Coons. "In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, these much needed funds will help a great deal in restoring and repairing Delaware's vast natural ecosystem and protecting such animals as horseshoe crabs and the imperiled red knot in the Mispillion Harbor Reserve and Milford Neck Conservation Area."

“The Delaware coastline is a beautiful natural habitat enjoyed by residents and visitors across the region. It’s our responsibility to help protect this resource for future generations to enjoy,” said Congressman Carney. “The federal funding announced today protects central areas of the Delaware Bayshore, the animals and wildlife that rely on it, and surrounding land and residences. It’s essential work so that these parts of our state can be better prepared for the next storm emergency.”

“Improving Delaware’s coastal resiliency and preparedness to storms, sea level rise and other climate impacts is not just essential for wildlife habitat, it’s important for supporting a thriving economy and protecting the health and safety of our residents,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara. “I want to commend everyone involved – our Congressional Delegation, Senators Carper and Coons and Congressman Carney – for their help in bringing this important funding to Delaware. I am proud of our DNREC team and the collaborative effort to pursue these funds with partners such as The Nature Conservancy, Delaware Wild Lands, Delmarva Ornithological Society, the National Wildlife Federation and the many communities impacted by coastal storms."

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) was awarded two grants totaling $6.5 million that will increase coastal resiliency of Bayshore lands from Mispillion Harbor (near the Town of Slaughter Beach) to Milford Neck Conservation Area and from the Mahon River (near the Town of Little Creek) to the St. Jones River. The central Bayshore area, a major stopover point in the Atlantic Flyway for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, has been degraded through severe flooding and erosion and no longer provides high quality habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife that are dependent on coastal marshes and wetlands. The degradation of these marshes, surrounding lands and adjacent resources are at risk to more severe flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion, which has been greatly accelerated by multiple coastal storms in recent years, including Hurricane Sandy.

A grant of $4.5 million will be used for projects that will restore the most vulnerable shorelines in Mispillion Harbor, increase resiliency of important habitat for spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds including the Red Knot, and protect the tidal flow and navigation channels of the Mispillion River and Cedar Creek. Restoration and resiliency planned for the harbor will also protect the navigation channel through Mispillion Inlet, ensuring continued commercial and recreational access to the Delaware Bay. Efforts to maintain tidal flow through Mispillion Inlet will complement restoration work at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Plans to design restoration strategies for Milford Neck marshes will reduce flood risks to adjacent communities, forests and agricultural lands. This project builds upon the success of the Milford Neck Conservation Area Partnership, a coalition that includes DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, Delaware Wild Lands, and The Nature Conservancy, to conserve and restore lands, waters and habitat.

“This grant will move us well down the road toward demonstrating how natural assets like sand dunes and salt marshes can benefit not just the species that depend on them for habitat, but also Bayshore communities threatened by rising seas, flooding and coastal storms,” said Richie Jones, Delaware State Director for The Nature Conservancy.

“Delaware Wild Lands is pleased to be working with The Nature Conservancy and State of Delaware to protect and restore one of Delaware’s most important tidal marsh and forested wetland complexes located at Milford Neck in Kent County,” said Kate Hackett, Executive Director of Delaware Wild Lands. Projects like these are a win for everyone because they weave together multiple sources of funding and take a system-wide approach to restoring and enhancing Delaware’s critical natural resources and the resiliency of our coastal habitat, farmland and communities.”

A second grant of $2 million to DNREC will be used to design and construct restoration projects for coastal wetland impoundments and beach habitat from Ted Harvey Conservation Area north to Port Mahon. These projects will increase the resiliency of habitat and reduce sea level rise and flooding vulnerabilities of Kitts Hummock, Pickering Beach, the Town of Little Creek and more than 1,300 acres of farmland. Two coastal wetland impoundments at Little Creek Wildlife Area and Ted Harvey Conservation Area will be restored.

A third grant of $400,000 was awarded to the University of Delaware to develop a three-dimensional wetland model for the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The project will provide current wetland assessments, help evaluate restoration strategies and predict the long-term sustainability of the marsh.

In addition, the DOI announced today two Northeast regional Hurricane Sandy grants of nearly $1 million that benefit Delaware. One proposal, submitted by the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Society, was awarded $470,000 to complete a vulnerability and resilience assessment of all coastal wetland impoundments in the Northeast. This regional project will help Delaware coordinate its restoration and resiliency work with neighboring states. The second regional grant awarded to the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems will provide $520,000 to improve storm-related data interpretation for decision-makers.

]]>Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:03:03 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=576:gov-markell-sens-carper-and-coons-congressman-carney-announce-funding-to-increase-resiliency-of-vulnerable-bayshore-habitats&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carney Bill Included in Democrats’ Latest Make It In America Agendahttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=573:carney-bill-included-in-democrats-latest-make-it-in-america-agenda&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) today joined House Democratic colleagues at a press conference in the Capitol to unveil the latest additions to the Make It In America legislative priorities for the 113th Congress. Congressman Carney and his colleagues have championed the Make It In America agenda for the past several years. The initiative is a comprehensive jobs plan aimed at revitalizing the manufacturing sector and helping create high-skill, high-wage jobs in the United States.

The package of bills announced Wednesday included Congressman Carney’s bill, H.R. 2664, the Made In America Act, bipartisan legislation that highlights American-made products and incentivizes manufacturers to increase domestic production. The legislation creates the America Star Program, a voluntary, standardized labeling program that would allow consumers to easily identify the extent to which products are American-made.

“My number one priority is putting Delawareans back to work,” said Congressman Carney. “Key to that effort is breathing new life into the manufacturing sector. That means finding ways to encourage companies to make things here in America again.”

Last week, the Congressman completed a week-long “Make It In Delaware” tour in which he released his own plan for boosting manufacturing in Delaware and across the country. See details of the plan here.

Congressman Carney is also the lead sponsor of the Research and Development Tax Credit Extension Act of 2013, a cornerstone of the Make It In America agenda. This bill would increase and simplify the research and development tax credit from 14 percent to 17 percent -- and make it permanent. The R&D tax credit is critical to supporting business innovation and personnel recruitment and retention.

Additionally, Congressman Carney was an original cosponsor of the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act to provide critical financial incentives for investment in offshore wind energy. A number of proposed offshore wind projects are moving through the development process -- in Delaware and elsewhere along the Atlantic Seaboard. In addition to utilizing an abundant source of clean, renewable energy, an offshore wind project can create up to 1,500 jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance alone.

Along with California Democratic Congressman Mike Honda, Congressman Carney helped introduce the Scaling Up Manufacturing Act, which would let businesses claim a 25 percent tax credit on the costs of construction or lease of their first domestically located manufacturing facility. This would help entrepreneurs translate their research and development into manufacturing and jobs.

“Making things in America is good for consumers, workers, and the economy,” Congressman Carney said. “I’m proud to support legislation that will make it easier for companies to create jobs domestically and hire workers right here at home.”

WILMINGTON, Del. — The Congressional Men’s Health Caucus is celebrating National Men’s Health Week (NMHW), which was passed by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994. NMHW was sponsored by Senator Bob Dole and Congressman Bill Richardson and is celebrated each year as the week that ends on Father’s Day, June 9-15 in 2014.

Recognizing that many health problems that affect men can be prevented, the week was designed to encourage men, boys and their families to develop positive health attitudes, engage in preventive behaviors, lead healthy lifestyles, and seek timely medical advice and care.

The Congressional Men’s Health Caucus has a mission to raise awareness of male health issues among members of Congress and the general public. The Caucus has sponsored numerous briefings on topics ranging from prostate cancer screening to traumatic brain injury. The current chairmen of the Caucus are Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ) and Rep. John Carney (D-DE).

“As co-chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I am proud to celebrate National Men’s Health Week,” said Congressman Carney. “Many health problems that commonly affect men can be prevented entirely or improved with early detection. This week is about raising awareness and encouraging men to be proactive about their health to live longer, healthier lives.”

Carney was recognized earlier this monthby the American Society of Clinical Oncology for his long-standing efforts to prevent cancer and help those battling the disease. As part of that effort, he worked with colleagues on the Delaware Cancer Consortium to lead the successful implementation of Delaware’s colorectal cancer screening program. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The program led to a 41% reduction in colorectal cancer mortality rates among Delaware African-Americans, and an increase in screening rates for all Delawareans to 74%, among the highest in the nation. Congressman Carney co-authored a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology which evaluated the program and its adaptability in other states. The article can be viewed here: http://goo.gl/1Nw9Xz.

About Men’s Health Week

Men’s Health Week is organized by Men's Health Network (MHN), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.

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]]>Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:41:10 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=574:congressional-men-s-health-caucus-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-national-men-s-health-week&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Discussion with local manufacturers wraps up Carney's Make It In Delaware Weekhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=564:discussion-with-local-manufacturers-wraps-up-carney-s-make-it-in-delaware-week&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Carney, panelists discuss efficiency, training, and opportunities for growth

GEORGETOWN, Del. — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) and Delaware manufacturers gathered at Delaware Tech’s Theodore C. Freeman Powerplant Education Building on the grounds of the Sussex County Airport this morning to discuss opportunities for growth in the state, the skills needed by today’s manufacturing workforce, and the federal role in revitalizing U.S. manufacturing. To read Congressman Carney’s Make it in Delaware plan, click here.

“Meeting with Delaware manufacturers is an ideal way to wrap up our events this week. The owners and managers of these companies are tremendously valuable to our community because, without jobs, we don’t have very much,” said Congressman Carney. “What I’ve heard all week is that U. S. manufacturers need to be as efficient as possible to compete in the global marketplace, and that includes having highly-skilled, trained workers. It’s a competitive advantage that we can’t afford to give up.”

“Our employees in Delaware have the best gross margins in the world. That’s why we’re able to keep the jobs here,” said Liza Bartle of Aglient Technologies. “But corporate tax rates are a big issue. It needs to make sense for companies to bring operations back. It’s also critical to have new talent feeding into the workforce. We need workers with electrical and computer skills, as well as inventory control and logistics training.”

Tom Spencer with PATS Aircraft added, “Programs at the state and local level should be geared towards attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. We should have creative programs and internships for college students and young workers. The talent is out there; we need them to come to Delaware.”

Over the last few years, signs show that jobs in the manufacturing sector are beginning to grow. Companies like Apple, General Electric, and Caterpillar that had moved production overseas, are now bringing jobs back.

Atlantis Industries in Milton recently added 10-12 positions. In 2013, ILC purchased Grayling Industries, a manufacturer of industrial packaging products, and moved the facility from Juarez, Mexico to Seaford. Grayling is in the process of hiring 115 employees, and full-scale operations will begin in July.

Rob Rider with O.A. Newton brought the conversation back to efficiency. “Think of all the advantages we’ll have as a nation if we can create a generation of lean thinking employees.”

Today’s discussion concluded a series of events Congressman Carney hosted this week to gather ideas for legislative proposals that would support and bolster U.S. and Delaware manufacturing. Earlier this week, the Congressman hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from the manufacturing workforce, held a teletown hall with Delawareans to discuss manufacturing needs, visited manufacturing facilities in each county to learn more about their operations, and toured Hodgson Vo-Tech to hear from students that will make up the nation’s future manufacturing workforce.

NEWARK, Del. — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) visited Hodgson Vocational-Technical High School this morning as part of his Make It In Delaware tour. The Congressman spent time with students taking courses in Technical Drafting & Design, Electrical Trades, Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering. The visit was one of a series of events Congressman Carney is doing this week to discuss opportunities to grow U.S. and Delaware manufacturing, and to learn more about the challenges that employees in this industry face. Earlier this week, the Congressman hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from the manufacturing workforce, held a teletown hall with Delawareans to discuss manufacturing needs, and, yesterday, visited manufacturing facilities in each county to learn more about their operations.

Congressman Carney (center) and Principal Jerry Lamey watch as students in Hodgson’s Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering program demonstrate a project.

“We’ve heard throughout the week that U.S. and Delaware manufacturing companies need highly-skilled, trained workers to compete in the global economy,” said Congressman Carney. “The students I met today are well on their way to being those workers. They’re learning the skills they need to get into an industry. And they understand that continued education after high school will benefit their employers and help further their careers. I’m encouraged by what I saw at Hodgson today and think these students have bright futures in front of them.”

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]]>Fri, 06 Jun 2014 19:03:15 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=565:congressman-carney-visits-hodgson-vo-tech-on-make-it-in-delaware-tour&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney visits manufacturing facilities as part of Make it in Delaware Weekhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=563:congressman-carney-visits-manufacturing-facilities-as-part-of-make-it-in-delaware-week&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Congressman Carney toured facilities in each of Delaware’s three counties to discuss their operations, challenges, and opportunities for growth

WILMINGTON, Del. — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) visited manufacturing facilities in each of Delaware’s three counties today to discuss their operations, challenges, and opportunities for growth. Today’s tour marks the third day of Rep. Carney’s Make it in Delaware Week to gather ideas for legislative proposals that would revitalize manufacturing in the U.S. and Delaware. To read Congressman Carney’s Make it in Delaware plan, click here.

The three country tour began in Middletown at Allied Precision, which specializes in precision machining and custom welding fabrication services. Congressman Carney toured the facilities and met with employees and leadership to see firsthand the day-to-day operations of a manufacturing facility in Delaware, and to discuss the challenges they face.

The Congressman then traveled to Miller Metal Fabrication in Bridgeville, which employs over 70 people in custom metal fabrication. Miller Metal recently expanded, adding a third shift to their manufacturing line. Their products are used in a wide variety of industries, including construction, food processing, and agriculture.

The Congressman’s final visit of the day took place at Hirsh Industries in Dover. Hirsh Industries, which employees over 180 people, manufactures and supplies personal and industrial storage products, including filing cabinets and shelving.

“The manufacturing facilities I visited today differ in size and scope, but they all expressed the same challenge -- the struggle to remain competitive in the international market,” said Congressman Carney. “We need to do everything we can to help manufacturers in Delaware and across the country produce competitively priced goods using workers here at home.”

Last night, Congressman Carney hosted a tele-town hall with over 8,000 Delawareans to discuss his proposals to spur manufacturing in our state and to hear from constituents who have experience or ideas regarding the manufacturing sector.

The Congressman’s Make it in Delaware week continues tomorrow, when the Congressman will speak with students in the Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering program at Hodgson Vocational-Technical High School.

On Friday, Congressman Carney is hosting a roundtable discussion with manufacturing managers and employers.

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]]>Wed, 04 Jun 2014 22:47:40 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=563:congressman-carney-visits-manufacturing-facilities-as-part-of-make-it-in-delaware-week&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney hears from manufacturing employees, trainers in kick-off to Make it in Delaware Weekhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=558:congressman-carney-hears-from-manufacturing-employees-trainers-in-kick-off-to-make-it-in-delaware-week&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Congressman Carney hosted a roundtable discussion on preparing workers for modern manufacturing jobs

NEW CASTLE, Del. — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) hosted a roundtable discussion today at the Delaware Tech Innovation & Technology Center to hear directly from employees and trainers on the skills needed by today’s manufacturing companies. Monday’s discussion was the first in a series of events Congressman Carney is hosting during his Make it in Delaware Week to gather ideas for legislative proposals that would revitalize manufacturing in the U.S. and Delaware. To read Congressman Carney’s Make it in Delaware plan, click here.

Participants in the roundtable included Jeremiah Chance, a current employee of Kraft and former Chrysler employee; Sam Ferrara, a former Chrysler employee; Bryan Markiewicz, Manufacturing Manager at Testing Machines; Tom McCarthy, Director of the Delaware Tech Innovation & Technology Center; and Rustyn Stoops, Deputy Director of the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

“We need to make things in America again if we’re going to continue to have a robust economy capable of competing in the global marketplace,” said Congressman Carney. “Talking to those who confront these challenges every day is critical to coming up with ways to revitalize American manufacturing. Today, we heard some good ideas from employees and job seekers facing challenges on where there are areas for growth in manufacturing, and how to prepare American workers for those jobs. I’m looking forward to hearing more throughout the rest of this week.”

U.S. manufacturing jobs have been declining for more than three decades. Since 2000, manufacturing jobs have decreased from 17 million to about 12 million. With the loss of companies like Chrysler, GM, Avon, and others, Delaware has lost more than 15,000 manufacturing jobs in the last 14 years.

“Education is key. There are no more unskilled labor jobs. We don’t have blue collar anymore. It’s blue-tech collar,” said Sam Ferrara, former Chrysler employee, when asked about the skills employees need entering the workforce.

Over the last few years, signs show that manufacturing jobs are beginning to come back to the U.S. Companies like Apple, General Electric, and Whirlpool that had moved production overseas, are now bringing jobs back.

Kraft Foods recently brought its Kool-Aid brand back from Mexico to Dover, and invested $10 million to expand its facility. In 2013, ILC purchased Grayling Industries, a manufacturer of industrial packaging products, and moved the facility from Juarez, Mexico to Seaford. Grayling is in the process of hiring 115 employees, and full-scale operations will begin in July.

Bryan Markiewicz, Manufacturing Manager at Testing Machines added, “When we look for employees, we look for applicants where we can build on their potential -- people who want to learn and have the drive to learn.”

Training and staying updated on changes in technology “is a shared responsibility between a company and the employee,” said Rustyn Stoops, Deputy Director of the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership. “The company needs to make sure its employees are trained on the programs and processes it uses, but it’s up to the employee to look at the job market, plan for the skills that are needed the most, and get the necessary training.”

Today’s discussion was the first in a series of manufacturing events Congressman Carney is hosting this week. Over the next several days, he will be hosting a tele-town hall, visiting manufacturing facilities in each county, speaking with students in the Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering program at Hodgson Vocational-Technical High School, and hosting a roundtable discussion with manufacturing managers and employers.

CHICAGO, Ill. — U.S. Representative John Carney (D-DE) has been recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for his long-standing efforts to prevent cancer and help those battling the disease. ASCO presented Carney with its Public Service Award, which is given annually to a person involved in legislative, political action, or community service activities that impact public awareness about cancer, its causes, cures, or treatment. Previous recipients of the award include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. The award was presented on Sunday, June 1, at ASCO’s annual meeting in Chicago. See video of the award presentation here: http://goo.gl/KwKGBB.

“It’s a tremendous honor to accept this award in the presence of so many outstanding physicians and patient advocates all working for the same cause,” said Congressman John Carney. “Delaware has made significant progress in the fight against cancer in recent years. We’ve introduced preventative measures, such as the statewide smoking ban and access to screenings for everyone regardless of income. And we’ve worked to help those battling the disease by providing comprehensive treatment for those without insurance and working to reduce prescription drug shortages. We still have a long way to go, and the key to continued improvement is strong leadership and guidance, especially from our physician community. I look forward to continuing our work together.”

Congressman Carney was nominated for the Public Service Award by Sandra Swain, MD, FACP Past President of ASCO and Chair of the Special Awards Selection Committee.

Representative Carney has shown tremendous leadership in improving the lives of people with cancer,” said Dr. Swain. “He has addressed numerous issues in cancer care and we are honored to recognize him for his exemplary public service.”

Congressman Carney has been a member of Delaware’s Cancer Consortium since its creation in 2001, and for more than a decade chaired the Consortium’s Disparities Committee. During that time, he helped lead the successful implementation of Delaware’s colorectal cancer screening program.

The program led to a 41% reduction in colorectal cancer mortality rates among Delaware African Americans, and an increase in screening rates for all Delawareans to 74%, among the highest in the nation. Congressman Carney co-authored a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology which evaluated the program and its adaptability in other states. The article can be viewed here: http://goo.gl/1Nw9Xz.

“It is a pleasure working with Congressman Carney in the fight against cancer," said Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America-endowed medical director of Christiana Care Health System’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. "He has a deep dedication to preventing cancer and helping patients who are battling it. And he tries to achieve these goals by working as a community, whether it’s here in Delaware with the members of the Cancer Consortium, or in Congress with representatives from both parties. He’s a strong leader and an example for policymakers across the country, and I look forward to working with him for many years to come because he continues to challenge us as physicians to be better at our jobs.”

In 2012, Congressman Carney introduced the Drug Shortage Prevention Act, which included measures to ensure that more critical prescription drugs are produced by manufacturers and reach the patients who need them. Since 2005, prescription drug shortages have quadrupled, and many of the shortages impact cancer treatment drugs. Provisions of the Drug Shortage Prevention Act were signed into law by President Obama to bring more efficiency to the manufacturing and distribution processes, and require the FDA to take specific actions preventing shortage problems before they impact patients.

About ASCO

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With nearly 35,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, which funds ground-breaking research and programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of people with cancer. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives today passed the Intelligence Authorization Act, which included an amendment offered by Congressman John Carney (D-DE).

The amendment works in concert with the Administration’s efforts to modernize and transform the security classification system and would require the Director of National Intelligence to issue a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment that details how to improve the declassification process across the intelligence community. This report would also include what steps the intelligence community can take, or what legislation may be necessary, to enable the National Declassification Center to better accomplish the missions assigned to it by Executive Order 13526, which outlines how classified information should be handled.

“While Americans across the political spectrum have differing thoughts on Edward Snowden’s actions over the past year, the fact remains that many of Snowden’s revelations were disturbing and upsetting to many, including me,” said Congressman Carney. “In order for the American people to maintain faith in their government, we must ensure that the government is operating in the most transparent way possible, while still ensuring our national security.”

The Obama Administration has pledged to declassify documents that no longer need to be held secret, and to revamp the method used to determine which documents ought to be classified. However, bureaucratic resistance across the intelligence community has severely hampered this effort. Congressman Carney’s amendment seeks to break this stalemate.

“I fully understand the need to keep some information protected from our enemies,” said Congressman Carney. “But there are currently hundreds of millions of classified pages of documents and to the extent possible -- we ought to open them to public scrutiny. This amendment orders an evaluation of our current system of classification to determine whether our policies are overly broad or protective. It’s a simple amendment, and particularly important during this time when the American people have had their confidence in their government shaken.”

The Congressman’s amendment passed the House by voice vote. The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, H.R. 4681, passed the House by a vote of 345 – 59, with the Congressman’s support.

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives today passed the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which included an amendment offered by Congressman John Carney (D-DE) and Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS).

The members of the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Network Warfare Squadron combat and prevent significant cyber threats to our nation’s critical infrastructure and provide training to the active duty components and the National Security Agency. Last year, the National Guard Bureau announced plans to cut 10 of the 11 Active Guard/Reserve Network Warfare Squadron positions at the Air National Guard site in New Castle, Delaware. In response to these proposed cuts, Congress included in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act a provision requiring the Department of Defense to conduct a manpower study to determine the Guard’s role in cyber missions before any of these cuts could be made.

This year, Congressman Carney introduced an amendment that requires the Director of National Intelligence to certify that the recommendations of the report required under last year’s Defense Authorization are consistent with the cyber operations capability needs of the United States before implementing any proposed cuts. This bipartisan and commonsense amendment aims to preserve the critical role played by the men and women at the Network Warfare Squadron and further highlights the importance of bolstering cyber security as a major facet of our military.

“With Delaware’s proximity to D.C. and New York -- proven targets of terrorism -- maintaining a strong cyber command unit in our state is vital to our country’s national security,” said Congressman Carney. “Over the past decade, Delaware’s National Guard has developed an expertise in cyber operations, and this amendment seeks to ensure that a robust cyber unit continues to exist in our state.”

In response to passage of Congressman Carney’s amendment, Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard Frank Vavala said, “I want to take this opportunity to applaud the House of Representatives for their diligent work in passing the National Defense Authorization Act. In particular, I want to commend Congressman John Carney for his work in supporting these efforts and his willingness to always be available to dialogue on difficult issues. Delaware and our military are fortunate to have such a dedicated public servant.”

The Congressman’s amendment passed the House last night by voice vote. The National Defense Authorization Act passed the House by a vote of 325 - 98 today, with the Congressman’s support.

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney (all D-Del.) hosted a job fair at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Monday featuring more than 70 employers hiring for 800 open positions. This was the third job fair hosted by the delegation this year.

Companies including Allen Harim Foods, Beebe Healthcare, Royal Farms, WSFS Bank, and Resort Quest received hundreds of applications and in some cases conducted on-the-spot job interviews.

“I’m so proud that since 2011, the Congressional Delegation has hosted 19 job fairs to connect out-of-work Delawareans with employers,” said Senator Carper. “These good-paying jobs, coupled with its first-class workforce, make Delaware a great place to live and work.”

“Holding regular job fairs is a simple and effective way to connect Delaware jobseekers with local businesses looking for new talent,” Senator Coons said. “For those still struggling to find work, a job fair can open doors that lead to new opportunities and a new career. While Congress remains paralyzed by gridlock and valuable job-creating legislation continues to face obstruction, these job fairs are one small way we can help our out-of-work neighbors get back on their feet.”

“I’m glad that today’s job fair brought together hundreds of job seekers with employers who are ready to hire,” said Congressman Carney. “In today’s competitive job market, that connection can make all the difference. I hope those who attended today left with opportunities and information they can use going forward.”

Since 2011, the Congressional Delegation has hosted 19 job fairs in Delaware, including four specifically for veterans.

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]]>Mon, 19 May 2014 21:07:35 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=550:carper-coons-carney-host-job-fair-in-sussex-county&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Coons, Carney Send Letter to Pfizer CEO on Potential AstraZeneca Buy-Outhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=549:carper-coons-carney-send-letter-to-pfizer-ceo-on-potential-astrazeneca-buy-out&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.) sent a letter to Pfizer’s CEO in an effort to protect the jobs of the 2,600 workers AstraZeneca currently employs in Delaware. The text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. Read,

We are writing in reference to Pfizer’s attempts to purchase AstraZeneca, which employs thousands in our region and has partnered with us to improve the healthcare system in Delaware. Our governor, Jack Markell, recently wrote to you concerning the merger, and you will likely be hearing from other Members of Congress concerned about how Pfizer’s takeover of AstraZeneca will impact jobs, our states’ healthcare system and national drug pipeline, and tax revenue. We share those concerns and are especially mindful of the negative impact this merger could have on the thousands of dedicated AstraZeneca employees in our state. Clearly, this potential merger will receive heightened scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators, and the general public.

As you may know, for more than a decade, the state of Delaware has invested tens millions of dollars to attract and retain AstraZeneca in our state. Our federal and state representatives have worked tirelessly to support the important life-saving work done by AstraZeneca and the pharmaceutical industry as a whole. AstraZeneca’s Delaware workforce is among the best in the industry, and we strongly believe that any merger with Pfizer should include an advance commitment to maintain and grow its presence in Delaware. We are also interested in learning what commitments you can make regarding how the acquisition would affect AstraZeneca’s strong investment in patient assistance programs that serve Delaware’s vulnerable citizens. Again, AstraZeneca has been a strong partner in our state for many years, and we are passionate about retaining its positive presence in the First State for years to come.

We understand that one of the primary motivations for Pfizer’s interest in acquiring AstraZeneca is the ability to establish Pfizer as a U.K.-domiciled company in order to reduce its U.S. tax liability. We fully recognize that our country’s outdated corporate tax system is in need of serious revision. Making America’s corporate income tax more internationally competitive, while reducing incentives to game the system, would encourage more companies to domicile in the United States because our markets are robust, access to capital and labor is plentiful, and our corporate governance model is transparent and effective. As we continue to tackle the issue of tax reform in the Congress, you will find the Delaware delegation engaged in and committed to revising the code to help American companies grow and profit here in the United States.

While this acquisition may provide a financial incentive to Pfizer and its shareholders, we are concerned that U.S. jobs and innovation could be sacrificed in the process. Based on our examination of previous acquisitions, we are concerned to learn that Pfizer has a history of significantly reducing research and development investment following major acquisitions. Not only would this negatively impact jobs and research and development infrastructure in our state and across the country, but it could also harm the development of cutting-edge medications that help save lives and improve the quality of life for millions here in the United States and around the world.

Given these questions and concerns, we need to better understand how you and your company would maintain and improve upon the research and development infrastructure and employment presence in Delaware if Pfizer were to acquire AstraZeneca. Delaware may not be the largest state in the Union, but our federal, state, and local leadership are all deeply committed to helping businesses grow and thrive here. We stand behind the thousands of talented AstraZeneca employees who live and work here, and the future of this business in Delaware. We are united in our desire to see them both succeed.

We look forward to your response and we thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the issues we have raised.

With best personal regards,

Senator Tom Carper

Senator Chris Coons

John Carney, Member of Congress

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]]>Tue, 13 May 2014 19:31:01 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=549:carper-coons-carney-send-letter-to-pfizer-ceo-on-potential-astrazeneca-buy-out&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Coons, Carney Announce Grant Award for Sussex County Airport Projecthttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=548:carper-coons-carney-announce-grant-award-for-sussex-county-airport-project&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
GEORGETOWN, Del. – Today U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney announced a $270,000 grand award from the Federal Aviation Administration to Sussex County to help with the construction improvements at the Sussex County Airport. This grant award will go toward the design and engineering of expanding the general aviation apron to accommodate additional aircraft tie-down space.

“This grant brings us closer to completing the improvements at the Sussex County Airport,” said Sen. Carper. “A larger apron will help the airport attract more aircraft operators to the Georgetown airport, who can use it as their ‘home’ airport. This is a smart investment for the Federal Aviation Administration, and furthers the Delegation’s efforts to make the airport an economic development hub for Sussex County.”

“Infrastructure plays such an integral role in helping businesses grow and creating jobs,” Senator Coons said. “The receipt of this federal grant for the engineering and design of an expanded apron is another step toward building the airport’s role in the region, and expanding the economy of Sussex County at the same time.”

“This project is another lift to jobs and businesses at the Sussex County Airport,” said Congressman Carney. “A larger apron means more aircraft will be stored there and more operators will become familiar with the airport's top-notch facilities. It's a smart investment that I hope we can continue to build on in the coming years.”

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]]>Fri, 09 May 2014 20:22:37 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=548:carper-coons-carney-announce-grant-award-for-sussex-county-airport-project&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Statement on Senate Introduction of Companion Bill to Delaware River Basin Conservation Acthttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=547:congressman-carney-statement-on-senate-introduction-of-companion-bill-to-delaware-river-basin-conservation-act&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Carney introduced H.R. 644 in February 2013 along with several bipartisan cosponsors

WASHINGTON — Congressman Carney today released the following statement in response to Senator Carper’s introduction of a Senate companion to H.R. 644, The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act.

“I commend Senator Carper on the introduction of this critical legislation,” said Congressman Carney. “This bill will help protect the Delaware River Basin by improving coordination between government, private, and non-profit entities. This legislation focuses our efforts on the most effective projects and implements a competitive grants project, ensuring we are being good stewards of the Delaware River Basin and taxpayer dollars.”

Congressman Carney introduced legislation in the House last year along with a group of ten bipartisan representatives from Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The legislation would improve restoration and conservation efforts in the Delaware River Basin by requiring the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and conservation activities in the entire Basin. The legislation bolsters conservation efforts by optimizing collaboration and increasing resources for on-the-ground and community-based projects.

“The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act is the product of bipartisan and bicameral cooperation, and I’m grateful for Senator Carper’s hard work in the Senate,” said Congressman Carney. “The Delaware River Basin provides our state and our region with an abundance of resources, from drinking water to wildlife. We need to do all we can to conserve and restore the health of the Basin, and this legislation is a huge step in the right direction. I look forward to working with Senators Carper and Coons to move this legislation forward.”

WASHINGTON — Today the House voted 268 to 150 to pass H.R. 4414, the Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act. Congressman Carney introduced this legislation in order to protect hundreds of jobs at Cigna’s facility in Wilmington, DE that are in danger of being moved overseas. In February 2014, Cigna implemented a hiring freeze at its Delaware facility and has warned of potential layoffs should this legislation not be signed into law. Cigna employs 500 people in Delaware who write the plans affected by this legislation. The Delaware delegation has been working for the past three years to ensure these jobs are protected.

“I’m pleased and gratified that my colleagues in the House came together to support a bipartisan bill that saves jobs in Delaware and across the United States and makes a reasonable, responsible fix to the Affordable Care Act,” said Congressman Carney. “The only way Congress can function is if members on both sides of the aisle work together -- like we did today. I’m hopeful that the Senate will show the same kind of wisdom and move this bill forward. I know Senators Carper and Coons will continue to work hard to make this bill become law, and I intend to do everything I can to help them.”

Cigna employees in Delaware sell, write, manage and service expatriate health insurance plans, which offer robust coverage to people working outside their home country, giving them access to a global network of health care providers. Individuals on the plan could be foreign employees working here in America, Americans working abroad, or, for instance, a German working in France. These employees can be NGO and foreign aid workers, pilots, cruise ship workers, and contractors sent to support our troops on deployment around the globe.

Inadvertently, the Affordable Care Act was written in a way that subjects U.S. expatriate health insurance plans to all the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which places a unique burden on these types of plans, given that their foreign competitors are not subjected to the same requirements. Several U.S. health insurance companies -- Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, and United Health -- offer expatriate health insurance plans. These insurance companies compete with foreign insurance companies that also sell expatriate health insurance plans, but which are not required to comply with the Affordable Care Act. This imbalance gives their foreign competitors an unfair advantage.

The Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act legislation clarifies that the Affordable Care Act does not apply to expatriate health insurance plans. It ensures that U.S.-based expatriate insurance carriers can compete on a level playing field with their foreign competitors and that American jobs stay here in America.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) was recognized today for his long-standing efforts in promoting fair, affordable housing options for Delawareans. Housing Opportunities of Northern Delaware, Inc. (HOND) presented Congressman Carney with its prestigious Leon N. Weiner Award, which is given annually to an individual who persistently strives to promote fair and equal access to housing in Delaware. The award was presented at HOND’s 31st annual Fair Housing Observance & Awards Luncheon held every year during April in celebration of Fair Housing Month.

“It’s a great honor to accept this award in the presence of so many who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that every Delawarean has a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Congressman Carney. “That goal has become harder to achieve in recent years as more Delawareans have faced foreclosure or eviction because of a lost job or cutback in hours. It’s during difficult economic times when the guidance, support, and services that HOND and other organizations provide become so important. Delaware’s fair housing advocates are a voice for some of the most vulnerable in our community, and I’m proud to support efforts to make that voice heard.”

Congressman Carney, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, , has supported several measures to promote fair and affordable housing at the federal level. Last month, Congressman Carney urged his colleagues in the House to support increased funding for the HUD-VASH program, which helps homeless veterans’ access rental assistance and supportive services enabling many to once again become self-sufficient members of the community.

Congressman Carney has also supported investments in federal Community Development Block Grants, and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program which provide states with the resources to identify and address the most pressing housing needs at the local level. In addition, while serving as Delaware’s Lt. Governor, Carney created the Lt. Governor’s Foreclosure Prevention Task Force in 2007. The group brought together representatives from the financial services and housing communities to implement a coordinated response to Delaware’s looming foreclosure crisis based on increased education for homeowners and financial support for programs designed to keep Delawareans in their homes.

“Congressman Carney has been an advocate for fair and affordable housing opportunities in Delaware for many years,” said Gladys Spikes, Executive Director of HOND. “He is very deserving of the Leon N. Weiner Award because he shows the same compassion and drive for equality to help seniors and families with moderate means find affordable homes. I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Carney on behalf of these Delawareans.”

About HOND

Housing Opportunities of Northern Delaware, Inc. (HOND) is a non-profit corporation promoting fair and equal housing opportunities in the sale and rental of housing in the state of Delaware. HOND staff members work diligently to help those in the Northern Delaware community realize the American Dream of home ownership by providing guidance, mentoring and achievable solutions to deserving families and individuals, allowing them to build a solid foundation for their future.

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]]>Thu, 24 Apr 2014 19:26:02 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=543:congressman-carney-recognized-for-support-of-fair-affordable-housing&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Delegation welcomes Delaware high school juniors and seniors for annual Congressional Youth Conferencehttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=541:delegation-welcomes-delaware-high-school-juniors-and-seniors-for-annual-congressional-youth-conference&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney (all D-Del.) hosted their annual Congressional Youth Conference for more than 70 Delaware high school juniors and seniors at Delaware State University Tuesday. Students interacted with members of their Congressional delegation and attended breakout sessions on cybersecurity, leadership through service, and digital media’s impact on the news.

Students participated in group discussions with the delegation on a variety of subjects including college affordability, minimum wage, foreign policy, healthcare and immigration. The late U.S. Senator Bill Roth organized the first Youth Leadership Conference in 1969, hosting it annually until 2000.

“It was a great pleasure to get to visit with some of the young people that give me great hope for Delaware and America’s future,” Senator Carper said. “I encouraged them to pursue careers that give them meaning – whether that’s in the public or private sector – but I shared with them that my own career in public service has been incredibly demanding and rewarding and I hope that many of them consider serving their community, their state, or their country.”

“Today’s event was designed to encourage students to consider a career in public service,” said Senator Coons. “The everyday challenges facing our country can be solved, and they can be solved by this incredibly compelling and capable young generation. The students we met today are enthusiastic about embracing diversity, excited about the opportunities the world has to offer, and clear-eyed about the challenges that lay ahead. That gives me tremendous hope that they can and will accomplish even more than the generation before them to leave our world a better place.”

“The Congressional Youth Conference is an excellent way for young people in Delaware to learn about the importance of public service, career opportunities, and some of the critical challenges facing the nation,” said Congressman Carney. “It’s also a great opportunity for me to hear the opinions of young people regarding the issues and priorities they find most important. We had a productive discussion today, and it’s clear that these students are well on their way to being leaders in our community.”

“I am deeply disappointed by today’s Supreme Court decision. This ruling increases the role of money in politics by striking down limits on the total amount of money an individual can give to political campaigns and PACs. This decision opens the floodgates for even more money to pour into our political process, giving disproportionate influence to special interests and the very wealthy.

“Congress must act to protect the voice of everyday Americans. Earlier this year, I cosponsored bipartisan legislation, the Government By the People Act, to give Congress and the states the authority to regulate political spending. I am hopeful that Congress will come together and restore fairness to the political process.”

WILMINGTON, Del. – Congressman John Carney (D-DE), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, participated in a roundtable discussion on Monday at Village of Eastlake with leaders from Delaware’s housing and banking communities. The discussion focused on a proposal put forward by Congressman Carney to improve the housing finance market while preserving the 30-year fixed mortgage. Congressman Carney was joined by Ted Tozer, President, Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae); Glenn Brooks, Senior Vice President of Leon N. Weiner and Associates; and Winthrop Watson, President and CEO of FHLBank Pittsburgh.

“Today, nearly 90% of all mortgages are completely backed by the federal government. Absent reform of our housing system, the United States housing sector will effectively remain nationalized,” said Congressman Carney, a member of the House Financial Services Committee. “This result would be bad for both homeowners and taxpayers. The proposal I’ve developed along with Congressmen Delaney and Himes would attract significant private capital back to the market while maintaining access and affordability to quality housing opportunities for hard-working American families.”

“My priority in developing this proposal is to preserve the thirty-year fixed rate mortgage while protecting taxpayer dollars. Getting this effort right is critical to the success of our economy. Without a smart, sensible solution, affording a home will become more expensive for families across the country, and taxpayers will remain on the hook in the event of another downturn in the housing market. There are a lot of good ideas out there -- I think this one strikes the right balance between public and private sector involvement in the housing market.”

Congressman Carney’s housing finance proposal reforms the current housing finance market by creating a structure that enables the government to significantly expand the availability of capital in the market. The plan adds discipline to the mortgage market, creates meaningful paths and incentives for private capital to flow into the mortgage market, and ensures that the mortgage market benefits from the liquidity and security provided by government participation.

The proposal creates a unique public-private partnership where private “first loss” capital of up to 5% is required in all mortgage securitizations, and the government – acting through Ginnie Mae – in partnership with private capital will provide reinsurance of up to 95% of any mortgage securitization. Specifically, Ginnie Mae will provide reinsurance and prospectively contract with private reinsurance companies to share in the government’s reinsurance policy. Both the private reinsurance carrier and the government will receive the exact same pricing and bear the exact same risk.

Winthrop Watson, President and CEO of FHLBank Pittsburgh, welcomed the addition of Congressman Carney's ideas to the ongoing discussion of housing finance reform.

“Congressman Carney should be applauded for the development of very thoughtful legislation to reform the nation’s mortgage finance infrastructure. I hope it receives full consideration as Congress moves forward on this matter which is so important to all Delawareans.”

Congressman Carney partnered with Representatives John K. Delaney (MD-6) and Jim Himes (CT-4) to draft the reforms, and the group plans to introduce legislation this spring.

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]]>Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:40:43 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=537:congressman-carney-participates-in-roundtable-with-delaware-housing-and-banking-leaders&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Coons, Carney announce $1 million grant from DOE to Seaford companyhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=535:carper-coons-carney-announce-1-million-grant-from-doe-to-seaford-company&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney today announced a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for Seaford’s Xergy, Inc, a manufacturing firm that develops high-efficiency compressors for cooling and refrigeration. The award will help the company finance the development of a compressor that can be used to drastically reduce the energy requirements for hot water heaters in the United States. The grant was awarded through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research program run by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

The award is part of a $17 million investment by the Department of Energy to help small businesses accelerate clean energy innovation.

“I’m proud to see Xergy awarded this grant for its effort to reduce the energy required for hot water heaters in the U.S, which account for about 15 percent of residential electric demand in this country,” Senator Carper said. “The best way for government to accelerate our path to a clean energy future is to provide a nurturing environment by supporting innovation in the private sector. I think this Xergy project supported by our Department of Energy is a great example of that.”

“The technology that will transform our energy future is being developed right here in Delaware,” Senator Coons said. “We have to invest in the bright minds and bold visions of small businesses leaders like Xergy’s Bamdad Bahar if we want to accelerate innovation, create jobs, and strengthen our nation’s energy independence. Xergy’s newest energy efficiency project will help families and businesses across the country reduce their energy usage and save on energy costs. This is a great investment that will help Delaware keep leading the way in creating solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.”

“The U.S. must continue to develop clean energy technology in order to compete in the global economy,” said Congressman Carney. “With this investment, Xergy will be able to continue working on more energy efficient hot water heaters, driving down utility costs for families and businesses. These are the type of innovations that move economies forward and create sustainable jobs for the future.”

About Xergy Incorporated
“Xergy is committed to leaving the planet in better shape for our children. We see it as a personal challenge to our skills, and prowess, that we need to address cradle-to-cradle recycling of our products. Although our technology needs no Rare Earth Metals (REMs) we know that, with enough demand, technology can come that further reduces our products' need for metals such at platinum. We are excited that our product-concepts will use significantly less material than conventional technology (eg. no need for a motor to drive the compressor). We see it as a statement of our integrity that our products will not simply be consumables but will have longevity and reliability that meets, if not out-performs, that of conventional, non-green, refrigeration technology.”
]]>Mon, 24 Mar 2014 10:05:14 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=535:carper-coons-carney-announce-1-million-grant-from-doe-to-seaford-company&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Coons, Carney to host job fair in Sussex County on May 19http://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=534:carper-coons-carney-to-host-job-fair-in-sussex-county-on-may-19&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – To take advantage of the nation’s continuing economic recovery and to assist local businesses in helping them find employees as the summer tourism approaches, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney announced Wednesday that they will host a job fair on Monday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center (229 Rehoboth Avenue) for those seeking jobs. This will be the third job fair hosted by the delegation this year.

Interested companies seeking to fill positions can contact Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345 or via email at workshop@coons.senate.gov. Businesses will be on hand at the fair to meet potential new employees, and only employers with positions to fill will be permitted to attend. Delawareans are encouraged to come dressed for success with resumes in hand.

“This job fair in Sussex County is an outstanding opportunity for all Delawareans, but particularly for those downstate, searching for jobs to connect with prospective employers,” Senator Carper said. “I encourage all looking to enter the workforce to attend this job fair and meet the dozens of companies looking to hire Delawareans. At every job fair I attend, I talk to employers who are hungry for qualified workers and ready to hire now. Fostering a nourishing environment for job creation in Delaware and across the country continues to be one of my top priorities.”

“Continuing to connect job seekers with businesses who are looking to hire is the most effective way to help people network and find employment,” Senator Coons said. “The Sussex County job fair brings area businesses together with job seekers from the region in hopes they can find good, steady jobs in their towns.”

“The economy is slowly improving, but there are still far too many Delawareans struggling to find jobs to support themselves and their families,” Congressman Carney said. “We’ve hosted two job fairs already this year and connected thousands of skilled job seekers with employers looking to hire. We plan to build on this success in Rehoboth and help more Delawareans find job opportunities.”

Since 2011, the Congressional delegation has hosted 19 job fairs in Delaware, including six specifically for veterans.

For more information on how to participate as an employer or job seeker, please call Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345, or email workshop@coons.senate.gov. Pre-registration is not required.

Washington, D.C.—Tuesday, Senate Banking Chairman Tim Johnson and Senator Mike Crapo, the committee’s ranking Republican, unveiled a bipartisan agreement on housing finance reform. The Johnson-Crapo plan would use Corker-Warner as its base architecture and wind down Fannie and Freddie.

Representatives John K. Delaney (MD-6), John Carney (DE- At Large), and Jim Himes (CT-4) have developed housing finance reform legislation that uses private sector market forces to appropriately price risk while putting the scale and security of a government guarantee behind the program. They plan to introduce legislation to create a housing finance system that is fair for borrowers, lenders, and taxpayers.

Delaney, Carney, and Himes issue the following statement:

“We thank Senate Banking Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Crapo for prioritizing housing finance reform, an issue of vital importance to the long-term health of our economy and financial system. We applaud their bipartisan approach and see their proposal as a positive development that shows significant momentum behind smart GSE reform. We also thank Senator Warner and Senator Corker for their enormous contribution to this process, their work has been instrumental in developing an initial bipartisan framework to build upon in the Senate.

“We share Johnson-Crapo’s core goals of both protecting taxpayers and ensuring the continued availability of the 30-year, fixed-rate, mortgage. America needs a housing finance system that is fair for borrowers, lenders, and taxpayers. We believe that the best course of action moving forward is a bipartisan, bicameral approach. We have introduced an innovative model that marries private sector pricing with the government’s ability to provide capacity. We are eager to work with our Senate colleagues as Johnson-Crapo goes through the legislative process.”

Key elements of Delaney-Carney-Himes Housing Finance Proposal

-Housing reform legislation allows the government to expand the capacity of housing finance while allowing the private sector to price the risk

-Creates incentives for private capital’s market share in housing to grow over time;

-Creates a path for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to be sold as independent companies without any government support or monopoly status

-Creates additional funds for low income housing

The Delaney-Carney-Himes housing finance proposal creates a structure that enables the government to significantly expand the availability of capital in the insurance market, while ensuring the mortgage market is open and efficient – with private capital participating in the market and pricing the risk. The plan adds discipline to the mortgage market, creates meaningful paths and incentives for private capital to flow into the mortgage market, and ensures that the mortgage market benefits from the liquidity provided by government participation.

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]]>Tue, 11 Mar 2014 21:47:17 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=533:delaney-carney-and-himes-statement-on-johnson-crapo-housing-reform-agreement&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressmen Carney, Dent Lead Bipartisan Letter Calling for Changes to Affordable Care Act Enrollment Processhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=532:congressmen-carney-dent-lead-bipartisan-letter-calling-for-changes-to-affordable-care-act-enrollment-process&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) and Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA) today led a bipartisan group of 75 House members in sending a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. The letter calls for certain changes to be made to the Affordable Care Act enrollment process and Federal Healthcare Exchange website.

Specifically, the letter requests:

- That HHS create a dedicated help line for certified agents and brokers, navigators, marketplace assistors, and state health officials to ensure that problems with enrollment are addressed quickly and effectively.

- That HHS add an edit function to healthcare.gov that would allow individuals to make changes and fix mistakes with their application without having to restart the process. Individuals who make input errors on their healthcare.gov applications are currently limited in their ability to correct the problems without deleting their account and starting over.

- That HHS change the current edit function to enable consumers to add multiple assistors to their account at any stage in the enrollment process. Beyond ensuring that these assistors are compensated for their work, the ability to track who has assisted a consumer with their decision provides accountability and, in the event of any errors or issues with the application, provides important consumer protection.

“The changes we’re asking for in this letter are aimed at helping make sure that people who want insurance coverage can get it,” said Congressman Carney. “I’ve said all along that no law is perfect, and if there are changes that need to be made to the Affordable Care Act, we should make them. It’s no secret that the Affordable Care Act enrollment process has been slow and frustrating for many. We’re hoping that these few simple improvements will help more people get the coverage they need, when they need it.”

“The signers of this letter obviously have widely disparate views on the efficacy of the Healthcare Law,” said Congressman Dent. “However, they do share a common belief – that a website paid for by the taxpayers should not be so complicated to use that it confuses and frustrates the people it is supposed to be helping. Regardless of our views on the Healthcare Law, the Federal healthcare exchange website has flaws that need to be corrected and this letter encourages the Secretary to make the necessary fixes.”

]]>Fri, 07 Mar 2014 20:57:51 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=532:congressmen-carney-dent-lead-bipartisan-letter-calling-for-changes-to-affordable-care-act-enrollment-process&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175More than 50 employers will be hiring for hundreds of vacancies at next week’s Congressional job fair in New Castle Countyhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=531:more-than-50-employers-will-be-hiring-for-hundreds-of-vacancies-at-next-week-s-congressional-job-fair-in-new-castle-count&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Mountaire, Amazon, and JPMorgan Chase with big employment vacancies to fill

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney announced Wednesday that more than 70 employers will be seeking to fill hundreds of positions at the Friday, March 7 job fair. The fair, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, is being organized with the help of Brandywine Counseling and Career Services. Organizations representing public and private sectors as well as the nonprofit community will be seeking qualified job candidates.

The list of potential employers reflects Delaware’s diverse industries in New Castle County, ranging from healthcare, education to law enforcement to banking. Interested companies seeking to fill positions can contact Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345 or via email at workshop@coons.senate.gov.

In addition to companies hiring to fill vacancies, job fair guests will have the opportunity to hear from author and motivational speaker S. Renee Smith at 11 a.m. in a talk called Create a Buzz: Grow Your Life and Career, and then from United States Office of Personnel Management representative about application strategies for federal jobs at 1p.m.

Since 2011, the Congressional delegation has hosted 18 job fairs in Delaware, including five specifically for veterans.

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]]>Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:08:02 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=531:more-than-50-employers-will-be-hiring-for-hundreds-of-vacancies-at-next-week-s-congressional-job-fair-in-new-castle-count&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Statement on Violence in Ukrainehttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=528:congressman-carney-statement-on-violence-in-ukraine&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON,DE — Congressman John Carney today released the following statement in response to the violence in Ukraine:

“Today, I met with members of Delaware’s Ukrainian American community. I share their concern and sadness at the recent outbreak of violence in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has displayed a disregard for the democratic rights of the Ukrainian people, including their right to peacefully protest. I am cautiously optimistic at today’s agreement, signed by the opposition leaders and President Yanukovich. However, I support the Obama administration’s efforts to identify those responsible for the deaths of dozens of protesters, and to hold those parties accountable. I will also continue to work with my colleagues in the House to assist in furthering a peaceful resolution to the current conflict.”

WASHINGTON — In a vote of 412-4, the House today passed legislation introduced by Congressman Carney (D-DE) and Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) to increase investments in small companies that are looking to grow and create jobs. It passed the House Financial Services Committee unanimously on November 14, 2014.

“Small businesses are the engine of job creation in this country,” said Rep. Carney. “This bill encourages the investment community to take a closer look at small businesses and gives them greater access to capital. Better access to capital means small businesses can continue to innovate, create jobs, and expand operations both here in Delaware and throughout the country. I’m encouraged by today’s bipartisan vote and was pleased to work across the aisle with Congressman Duffy to focus on the most important issue facing our country -- creating jobs and growing the economy.”

“Small companies that go public increase employment by 156% on average,” said Rep. Duffy. “This is how the Googles and the Apples, the Twitters and the Facebooks of the world started. The bill that Mr. Carney and I have introduced supports America’s newest jobs creators by creating a pilot project to maximize their trading liquidity. Our hope is that our bill will give these emerging growth companies greater access to much needed capital so they can expand their businesses and create much needed American jobs.”

The Small Cap Liquidity Reform Act of 2013, H.R. 3448, would create a pilot program under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would allow small companies to trade in larger increments, with the goal of making their stock more attractive to investors. The SEC has expressed a willingness to create such a pilot program -- this legislation would require it to do so. The pilot program would test whether the stocks of companies that are permitted to trade in larger increments experience more success than other companies.

This legislation builds on Rep. Carney’s IPO on-ramp provision passed last year as part of the JOBS Act. That provision makes it easier for small- and medium-sized companies to undertake IPOs and become public companies.

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]]>Mon, 12 May 2014 18:03:30 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=526:house-passes-rep-carney-s-bill-to-help-small-businesses-grow&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Carper, Coons, Carney to host job fair in New Castle County on March 7http://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=525:carper-coons-carney-to-host-job-fair-in-new-castle-county-on-march-7&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Delegation will host first New Castle County job fair of 2014

WILMINGTON, Del. – Continuing to help jobless Delawareans find employment, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney announced Tuesday that they will host a job fair on Friday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington for those seeking long-term career opportunities. This will be the second job fair hosted by the delegation this year.

Interested companies seeking to fill positions can contact Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345 or via email at workshop@coons.senate.gov. Businesses will be on hand at both fairs to interview potential new employees. Delawareans are encouraged to come dressed for success with resumes in hand.

“When we started holding job fairs in 2011, the outlook about the economy and the job market wasn’t great. But, as we approach the 19th delegation job fair, I have felt the mood improve considerably,” Senator Carper said. “We still have a lot of work to do to connect out-of-work Delawareans with good-paying jobs, and Senator Coons, Congressman Carney and I continue to make that our top priority. I won’t be satisfied until we hold a job fair and only employers attend because everyone who wants a job has one.”

“Even with unemployment at a five-year low in the country, there are still tens of thousands of Delawareans still looking for work,” Senator Coons said. “These job fairs are a real way to make a difference in our neighbors’ lives with a dedicated focus to help those Delawareans connect with real job opportunities.”

“The entire state benefits when Delawareans can find jobs to support themselves and their families,” said Congressman Carney. “Last month in Dover, we hosted an event that connected hundreds of skilled, qualified job seekers with employers looking to hire. I look forward to building on this success and helping even more Delawareans find job opportunities next month in Wilmington.”

Since 2011, the Congressional delegation has hosted 18 job fairs in Delaware, including five specifically for veterans.

For more information on how to participate as an employer or job seeker, please call Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345, or email workshop@coons.senate.gov. Pre-registration is not required.

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]]>Tue, 11 Feb 2014 14:06:50 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=525:carper-coons-carney-to-host-job-fair-in-new-castle-county-on-march-7&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman John Carney announces U.S. Service Academy nominations for Class of 2018http://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=524:congressman-john-carney-announces-u-s-service-academy-nominations-for-class-of-2018&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON, Del. — Congressman John Carney announced today the names of the students whom he has nominated for the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Nominations for the service academies are made annually by the Congressman, and those chosen represent future Delaware leaders who have already made strong commitments to community service and academic excellence.

“It’s a tremendous privilege to nominate these wonderful young Delawareans to attend our nation’s service academies,” said Congressman Carney. “These nominations are the culmination of years of hard work and effort both in school and out of school. I hope each person nominated, as well as their families, friends, and communities are very proud of their accomplishments. I am confident that if offered an appointment, each one will represent Delaware with honor and distinction while in school and throughout a career in our nation’s armed forces.”

In order to be granted admission, an applicant must meet all eligibility requirements and receive a nomination from a Member of the House or Senate, the Vice President, or the Secretary of the Air Force, Army, or Navy. The decision whether or not to appoint a nominee rests solely with each academy.

]]>Thu, 06 Feb 2014 22:13:11 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=524:congressman-john-carney-announces-u-s-service-academy-nominations-for-class-of-2018&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Statement from Congressman Carney on CVS Decision to Stop Selling Tobacco Productshttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=523:statement-from-congressman-carney-on-cvs-decision-to-stop-selling-tobacco-products&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON, Del. — Congressman John Carney, a member of the Delaware Cancer Consortium since its creation in 2001, released the following statement today on CVS Caremark’s decision to stop selling tobacco products. CVS will remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from its 7,600 stores by October 1, 2014.

“I applaud CVS Caremark’s decision to take cigarettes and other tobacco products off of its shelves. As a member of the Delaware Cancer Consortium for more than a decade, I have seen the data and heard the stories of how smoking ruins lives. Every year, 1,200 Delawareans and nearly 500,000 Americans nationwide die from tobacco-related diseases. Tobacco also increases healthcare costs with billions spent each year to treat these diseases.”

“CVS’s commitment means they are willing to put the health of their customers above their own bottom line. Their decision shows real leadership in the effort to prevent young people from starting to smoke, and help existing smokers quit this dangerous addiction.”

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]]>Thu, 06 Feb 2014 21:19:08 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=523:statement-from-congressman-carney-on-cvs-decision-to-stop-selling-tobacco-products&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Statement from Congressman Carney on the death of Col. Dave Byerlyhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=522:statement-from-congressman-carney-on-the-death-of-col-dave-byerly&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WILMINGTON — Congressman John Carney released the following statement today on the death of Col. Dave Byerly, Vice Commander of the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Airlift Wing. Col. Byerly was a member of Congressman Carney’s Service Academy Nomination Selection Board.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Col. Dave Byerly this morning. Col. Byerly dedicated his life to serving our country with bravery and honor. He was a model citizen soldier, and strove to instill in every member under his command the skill, training, and high standards necessary to serve in the Delaware National Guard.

Col. Byerly showed that same dedication as a member of my Selection Board for service academy nominations. I greatly appreciated his insight and experience throughout the difficult process of choosing from among many qualified Delaware students seeking nominations to one of the military academies.

My thoughts and prayers are with Col. Byerly’s family, including his wife and children, his friends, and his fellow Delaware National Guard members as they deal with this tragic loss.”

GEORGETOWN, Del. — Congressman John Carney was joined by Rev. Clifford Johnson of the Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation, Bernice Edwards of the First State Community Action Agency, Wanda Lopez of United Way of Delaware, Rashmi Rangan of the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, and Glenn Rollins of the Internal Revenue Service at a press conference in Georgetown to help launch the 12th annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) campaign and urge Delawareans to participate.

The campaign educates citizens about the EITC, prepares taxes for those who qualify and encourages sound financial management and savings. The Earned Income Tax Credit is available to employed individuals and families meeting certain income and other qualifying criteria. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit benefits families who earn less than $51,567 (with three or more children and filing a joint return) per year. The maximum tax credit that citizens can receive could be as much as $6,044 depending on family size and income.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit helps working families keep more of what they earn, and brings millions of dollars back to Delaware’s economy. Yet, every year, close to 20% of eligible Delawareans do not file for it,” said Congressman Carney. “The Delaware EITC Campaign reaches out to Delaware residents, helps them file their taxes, and teaches them how to best put that money to use. I’m hopeful that every eligible Delawarean takes advantage of this opportunity. In many cases, it makes the difference between getting by and getting ahead.”

The EITC campaign in Delaware is coordinated by the Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation (NGCDC). The program offers free tax services to citizens through a partnership of the Nehemiah Gateway CDC, First State Community Action Agency and the Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement, with support from financial institutions, foundations, and United Way of Delaware.

According to Reverend Clifford Johnson, President of NGCDC, the EITC increases the ability of workers in lower paying job categories to support themselves and their families. He said research shows that helping a person reap additional tax benefits based on the amount they earn has increased the labor force participation of lower skilled workers, especially single mothers.

“The EITC Campaign has given us the opportunity to take our services directly to Delawareans through our mobile tax sites. First State goes into low-income communities to provide this valuable service in accessible locations,” said Bernice Edwards, Executive Director of the First State Community Action Agency. “Last year, we helped more than 1,400 individuals and families prepare and file their taxes at no cost to them, and we expect to reach even more people this year. Many of these Delawareans have income levels that are at or near the poverty line. Not only are we able to help them keep more money in their pockets, but we work with them to develop important financial literacy skills as well.”

In tax year 2012, EITC returned over $155 million dollars of federal money to eligible Delawareans at an average of $2,150 per return. Nationwide, the EITC funnels billions of dollars into low income communities, both urban and rural, in the form of consumer spending and asset building. Research shows that most often families use their EITC refunds directly in the local community to put food on the table, pay their mortgage or rent, or make needed repairs to their home or car.

Rashmi Rangan, Executive Director of the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, said, “The EITC has a track record of successfully reducing poverty by providing an annual wage supplement to workers based on their earnings, their marital status and family size. DCRAC is proud to partner in this endeavor to assure that Delaware families eligible for the EITC are successful in obtaining these credits.”

For clients who prefer to prepare their own returns, there is now a free software program available at www.MyFreeTaxesDE.com. Delawareans with a household income of $58,000 or less in 2013 are eligible to use this site, which offers free tax filing for state and federal taxes, as well as a free telephone helpline that can be reached by calling Delaware 2-1-1 or 1-855-MY-TX-HELP.

MyFreeTaxesDE is managed by a Delaware Coalition, led by United Way of Delaware, $tand By Me® and Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County, as well as more than 30 state and local organizations, businesses and schools. $tand By Me® also invites taxpayers to meet with a free financial coach to help with other money-related topics. Any Delawarean can visit www.standbymede.org to make an appointment to meet with their free financial coach to set their own financial goals.

“This is a great time for Delawareans who are eligible for the EITC to think about what they are going to do with that credit, when they receive it,” said Wanda Lopez, Assistant Director of Programs for United Way of Delaware. “Stand By Me can help Delawareans meet their personal financial goals, starting with that credit. United Way of Delaware is proud to be part of initiatives that help Delawareans increase their financial stability and plan for their future.”

By having free, readily accessible sites in low income communities throughout Delaware, NGCDC reaches households that might otherwise not be aware of the EITC program. And with the self-prepare program available at www.MyFreeTaxesDE.com there’s also an opportunity to prepare taxes from the comfort of your own home. In addition, with commercial tax preparation fees averaging over $250, clients are able to save that money and take advantage of free tax preparation programs. Clients are also not subjected to sales pressure for instant refunds and loans.

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]]>Fri, 31 Jan 2014 14:30:46 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=521:congressman-carney-community-leaders-highlight-benefits-of-earned-income-tax-credit&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Statement on House Passage of Farm Billhttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=520:congressman-carney-statement-on-house-passage-of-farm-bill&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON, DC —Congressman John Carney today released the following statement after the House voted 251-166 to pass a five-year Farm Bill:

“I am pleased that despite regional and party differences, the House finally passed a five-year Farm Bill. As I’ve traveled the state over the past several years, I’ve heard over and over from Delaware farmers about the urgency and importance of passing this legislation.

“The bill ends direct payments and other outdated forms of support that most farmers say they don’t need. It uses part of these savings to improve federally subsidized crop insurance to create a better, market-based safety net for farmers. This is a historic change that will improve the farm safety net, make our growers more secure, and save taxpayers money. The legislation also increases funding for research and development by $1.1 billion, which will benefit programs like the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension to help farmers grow crops and livestock that are healthier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

“The bill makes significant changes to make sure the conservation resources that our farmers rely on are used as efficiently and effectively as possible. It also creates the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which would allow those in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to compete for resources with other critical conservation areas across the country. While this new program is not perfect, I am confident that the Chesapeake Bay Watershed will be able to continue to get the resources it needs.

“As with any legislation, there are elements in the Farm Bill that I do not like. In particular, I am concerned by the $8.5 billion in cuts made to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Though these cuts will not affect Delaware due to the way our state implements SNAP, many across the country will see their benefits reduced during a period of continued economic hardship. This summer, I lived off a $31.00 food budget for a week, which is the average food stipend of a SNAP recipient, and saw how difficult it is to eat on such limited funds. I have advocated that Congress pass a Farm Bill that protects SNAP from harmful cuts.

“Additionally, we need to do more to provide farmers who grow fruits and vegetables with the same kind of support as those who grow commodity crops like corn and wheat. I was disappointed that this farm bill did not do enough in that area -- we need to make specialty crops more of a priority going forward.

“Despite these drawbacks, the Farm Bill on the whole reauthorizes a number of critical programs that Delaware farmers rely on. I look forward to continuing to support our state’s number one industry as the Farm Bill is implemented.”

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]]>Wed, 29 Jan 2014 20:24:44 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=520:congressman-carney-statement-on-house-passage-of-farm-bill&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175Congressman Carney Reacts to State of the Union Addresshttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=519:congressman-carney-reacts-to-state-of-the-union-address&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
WASHINGTON — Congressman John Carney (D-DE) tonight issued the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union address:

“As the President has said many times and reiterated tonight, middle class families across America are working harder and harder, and still struggling to get by. I was pleased to hear the President focus his remarks on supporting middle class jobs, and creating opportunities for young people to compete for the jobs of the future.

“While we’ve made dramatic progress since the financial crisis, for families still looking for work or unable to make their mortgage payments, we have more work to do. The American dream means every person having the opportunity to succeed.

“To make that a reality, we need government policies that encourage businesses to locate here in the U.S. and to make things in America again. We need a higher education system that includes affordable options for all students. We need an energy policy that promotes 21st century jobs and protects our environment. We need a housing finance system that preserves the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. We need an immigration system that makes our economy stronger and welcomes those who play by the rules. And we need a long-term budget plan that’s fair and sets our country on a sustainable course.

“The President laid out a strong vision tonight for how we can accomplish these priorities. He said this year could be a breakthrough year for our country. I hope my colleagues in Congress will take up his mantle and start passing laws that strengthen the middle class and create opportunities for America’s future.”

“The ongoing revelations about the NSA’s data collection tactics are disturbing and alarming,” said Congressman Carney. “While I support giving intelligence agencies the tools they need to fight terrorism, it can’t be at the expense of our civil liberties. Going forward, Congress needs to do a better job monitoring the NSA’s activities to ensure that Americans’ privacy interests are protected.”

Congressman Carney today introduced three bills all designed to ensure that Congress is able to better protect Americans’ civil liberties while safeguarding our national security:

The National Security Agency Data Collection Review Act of 2014, H.R. 3880, sunsets both Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act and Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the two main statutes governing the NSA’s surveillance activities, on December 31, 2014. Causing these programs to expire at the end of this year will force Congress to re-examine them and give members the opportunity to make changes to the NSA’s authorities in light of recent revelations. The bill would also move up the sunset date of the roving wiretaps provision of the PATRIOT Act. The bill would not affect the “lone wolf” provision, which is not technically part of the PATRIOT Act, but has been grouped in with the same reauthorization cycle. That provision would remain effective until June 1, 2015. Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) are original cosponsors of this legislation.

The National Security Agency Accountability Act, H.R. 3882,requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to produce an annual report, including one unclassified summary, analyzing the effectiveness of NSA programs for the preceding fiscal year. This annual report would include the following information: statistics from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court detailing the number of times the NSA applied for warrants, the number of times they received those warrants, any violations the NSA committed of U.S. surveillance laws, a description of actions taken in response to these violations, and a description of the minimization procedures the NSA used to ensure Americans’ privacy when carrying out each provision. This will ensure that only those surveillance activities that are necessary and effective will remain in place, so that the only information the government collects on innocent Americans is information that is crucial to our national security.

The Expansion of National Security Agency Oversight Act,H.R. 3881, expands the dissemination of its reports to Congress on NSA programs. It would add the House and Senate Armed Services and House and Senate Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations committees to the list of recipients for reports provided by the Attorney General. Currently, only members of the Judiciary and Intelligence Committees receive these reports. The reports detail the use of electronic surveillance by the NSA. They also cover the NSA’s use of the business records provision and its investigations of non-US persons. Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) are original cosponsors of this legislation.

In addition to this legislation, the Congressman supports a series of recommendations President Obama is considering. In particular, Congressman Carney believes we should find more limited ways to collect metadata, and less expansive ways of storing it -- possibly by leaving the data in the hands of the private companies that collect it.

The Congressman also believes that Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court proceedings should be more transparent. He has cosponsored legislation, H.R. 3159, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), to allow a public advocate to argue on behalf of privacy interests during court deliberations. The goal of that legislation is making sure that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judges are adequately weighing privacy concerns when determining whether to authorize government access to private data.

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]]>Wed, 15 Jan 2014 22:35:54 GMThttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=518:congressman-carney-introduces-legislation-to-rein-in-nsa-surveillance-tactics&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175News Journal Op-Ed: Social Security shouldn't be used to balance budgethttp://johncarney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=517:news-journal-op-ed-social-security-shouldn-t-be-used-to-balance-budget&catid=13:press-releases-&Itemid=175
Over the past three years, Congress’ solution to our budget crisis has been a temporary patchwork of fiscal bandages, passed at the stroke of midnight before critical deadlines.

Unfortunately, some have proposed balancing our budget by cutting Social Security benefits.

That’s unfair to seniors. And it’s not good for our country. Social Security is one of the most successful government programs in U.S. history. It drastically improved living conditions among the elderly and it needs to be protected for future generations.

Social Security benefits are paid for through the Social Security Trust Fund, which comes from payroll taxes and federal income tax that some beneficiaries pay on part of their benefits. Since Social Security is a separate Trust Fund and doesn’t take money from the U.S. Treasury, it doesn’t make sense to make Social Security pay for our deficit problems.

That said, we still need to make some changes to the Social Security system to keep it alive for future generations. People are living a lot longer today than they were when the system was first created. And because of the size of the baby boomer generation, the number of people receiving benefits will continue to grow much faster than the number of people paying in. So we have a math problem. When the Social Security Trust Fund runs out of money, the program will no longer be able to give seniors the full benefits they were promised. If we do nothing, the Trust Fund will run out of assets in 2033. And unlike the U.S. Treasury, the Social Security Trust Fund can’t spend money it doesn’t have.

Bipartisanship is the only way to get things done in a divided Washington. The last time Social Security faced a crisis, Republican President Ronald Reagan and Democratic Speaker Tip O’Neill created a bipartisan commission that led to the successful 1983 reform of Social Security. If we’re going to fix Social Security now, we need a bipartisan commission once again, separate from any deficit negotiations.

Recently, some policymakers have proposed changing the way inflation is calculated to something called chained consumer price index. I don’t believe that chained CPI is a fair way of calculating the cost of living adjustments seniors receive in their Social Security checks.

Others have proposed raising the retirement age. We’re already doing this – the retirement age is rising now due to changes made in that 1983 agreement. Raising the age further could be problematic – we have to keep in mind the millions of Americans working in physically demanding jobs. For them, a delayed retirement would be a potentially debilitating burden.

What does make sense is raising the arbitrary wage cap on Social Security payroll taxes. Currently, only the first $113,700 in an individual’s annual wages are taxed to help fund Social Security. By raising or eliminating the payroll cap we can raise hundreds of billions for the Trust Fund and extend the life of the program for nearly 75 more years. To make sure this proposal is fair to people at all income levels, individuals whose wages exceed the current cap could also receive a corresponding increase in benefits.

We also should look at improving the system for our most vulnerable seniors. Americans who work in minimum wage jobs, and those who are blessed to live longer than they expected, face particular challenges that the Social Security system ought to account for. Finding ways to bring more revenue into the Trust Fund will give us more flexibility to consider changes.

Social Security isn’t the cause of our nation’s fiscal problems. We need to make sure it’s around for future generations, and we have to start from the premise that we shouldn’t use Social Security to balance the budget.

“We are committed to doing whatever we can to put Delawareans back to work at the Boxwood Road assembly plant in Newport. In 2009, we were encouraged when Fisker Automotive began to renovate the shuttered GM plant with plans to build cars for the 21st century. We were disappointed, after what appeared to be a promising start, when the company faced a difficult set of challenges that could not be overcome and late last year entered bankruptcy with little hope of reopening the plant outside of Wilmington or building the next generation of Fisker cars. It is our hope that as the bankruptcy proceedings go forward, a plan could emerge for an entity that would favor building cars at Boxwood to assume ownership of the company’s assets, including the plant.

“We are encouraged to learn that Wanxiang has expressed interest in using the Boxwood Road plant to manufacture cars, if it acquired Fisker. For over 60 years, thousands of skilled Delaware men and women built millions of high quality cars, trucks, and SUV’s at the two automotive plants in the First State. Those factories were economic engines for Delaware, and the region. Among the reasons the plants operated as long as they did were the excellent relationships between labor and management at the plant, which ensured smooth operations. The plants also enjoyed the ease of export via the Port of Wilmington, the freight rail access along the northeast corridor, and the major interstate highways nearby. They also had the full support of the state’s elected leaders. As domestic auto plants began to close around the country, our plants remained open until they were the last remaining on the east coast of the United States. But ultimately, Chrysler and General Motors reached a point where they could not keep them open any longer, and both plants closed within just months of one another.

“The original objective of the Fisker project was to create jobs manufacturing advanced technology vehicles. Later this week, a bankruptcy court will consider whether or not to allow for multiple bidders to compete for Fisker’s assets. We believe an open process might attract a bidder who is interested in carrying out Fisker’s original vision, including the manufacturing of a new vehicle model produced in high volume. It is the production of such a vehicle that would require the capacity provided by the Delaware plant. Production of the vehicles at the Delaware plant would meet the original goal for creating new, highly skilled, high-paying manufacturing jobs in the United States and in Delaware. We will do what we can to help that promise become reality.”

La Red Health Center, Henrietta Johnson Medical Center and Westside Family Healthcare received $177,872 to help with their enrollment efforts in the communities they serve in Delaware’s three counties. With these awards, health centers will be able to meet immediate needs, including expanding the hours of existing outreach and enrollment assistance workers, and hiring new or temporary outreach and enrollment assistance workers.

“This funding will help our health centers continue to do the good work they are already doing in the community by getting our uninsured Delawareans affordable, quality health insurance,” said Sen. Carper. “I am proud of the work they are doing on the front lines to inform, care for and offer preventive medicine to Delawareans.”

“Giving more Americans access to quality health care ‎is the fundamental goal of the Affordable Care Act,” Senator Coons said. “Many Delawareans need assistance to enroll for their new health insurance coverage and this grant will expand trusted health care centers to meet these families and individuals’ needs.”

“Federally qualified health centers are a critical part of the health care system in our state. They are trusted sources of information, support, and care for many Delawareans who are uninsured or underinsured,” said Congressman Carney. “Westside Family Healthcare, La Red, and Henrietta Johnson are already working tirelessly to help Delawareans enroll in health insurance plans that meet their needs. This funding will assist their efforts and get more people in our community access to quality, affordable coverage.”

Delaware’s three health centers served 39,401 patients last year, with more than 37 percent of them uninsured.